Every young player at Lennoxtown dreams about pulling on Celtic’s first-team shirt. Colby Donovan knows that’s the easy part.
Donovan got his chance last season and took it. Staying in the squad will be much harder.
Alistair Johnston and Anthony Ralston are still Celtic’s two main right-backs. One good season does not change that, and Donovan clearly knows it.
🔢 It appears that both Ralston and Donovan will be here next season…
Colby Donovan explains harsh Celtic truth
Speaking about the upcoming season, Donovan knows one good season will not keep him in Celtic’s matchday squad.
Donovan told The Scottish Sun: “There’s a lot of competition here in my position. You’ve got Tony and Ally, who are tremendous servants for the club.
“Having those two in front of you is tough but it’s also really good. They give me lots of tips and you watch their games, how they defend and how they go forward.
“It pushes you even more to get to that level. It makes you think ‘I need to play well here’.
“I watched Ally at the World Cup and he was probably the standout player for Canada. He was brilliant. He was probably man of the match in every game he played.
“You see him getting forward but he always manages to get back. He does so much for his country.
“For me it felt like a big season. Celtic are one of the toughest clubs to come through and consistently get minutes at.
“Players have made their debuts and are never heard from again. As a young player, you want to go on and make an impact. That’s all I was thinking. I want to play for Celtic and to do that you need to perform.”
Every Celtic supporter can name youngsters who made a first-team appearance and were barely seen again.
Donovan knows last season proves nothing at Celtic unless he backs it up.
Alistair Johnston sets Celtic challenge
Donovan is not moaning about Johnston or Ralston being ahead of him. He knows both have earned their place.
Instead, he is learning from both players rather than complaining about the competition. Johnston’s ability to attack and still recover defensively is clearly the standard he is chasing.
The compliments are one thing, but taking Johnston’s jersey is another altogether. Donovan now has to give Martin O’Neill a reason to drop one of two experienced internationals.
Making his Celtic debut was the first step. Staying in O’Neill’s team will decide whether it meant anything.
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