Colby Donovan

Bravo, young man, bravo!

 

I can’t see Ralston getting on ahead of him if he keeps this form up, tbh.

 

Colby Donovan admits he couldn't believe he was making his Celtic European debut - but was far from overrawed against Crvena zvezda.


The young right-back, 19, started his third consecutive match after completing 90 minutes against Kilmarnock in the league and Partick Thistle in the Premier Sports Cup.

He was handed his chance due to injuries to Alistair Johnston and Anthony Ralston and it was thought Ralston could return for this evening's Crvena zvezda clash after recovering. But Brendan Rodgersstuck with Donovan and was rewarded with a big performance.

After shining as a leading performer despite the intimidating Belgrade atmosphere, the teen admits there were nerves when he discovered he would be making his Euro bow. But as soon as he got going, those were banished.

He told TNT Sports: "Yeah, it was at first. When I found out yesterday I was starting, it was a bit of nerves, but you've always got to have nerves as as a young player going in.

"And then as soon as I got over here, it just left me. As soon as I heard the first whistle, it was time to go, time to work."

Assessing the game, Donovan felt Celtic were well worthy of their point, after Kelechi Iheanacho's opener was cancelled out by Marko Arnautovic.



Well, obviously it's a hard place to come," he admitted. "The atmosphere, you hear the crowd behind you as you come out for the warm-up and they're just on you non-stop, but as a team, it makes us want to play better. It makes us want to go forward more, and so we hear that, it was just forward, forward and we get what we deserved."

Rodgers has talked up the academy graduate's contribution in the games he has already played and was delighted with him once again.

Donovan admits he can't help but take heart from such encouraging words from an established and respected manager.

He added: "Yeah, it gives you a a big confidence boost. Coming from the gaffer, he's a top, top manager. And to see it come from him, it's just I'm over the moon. It's brilliant.

"I think as a as a young player, I always take take pride in my personality and how I how I come about my day-to-day life and playing under the gaffer, it's been absolutely brilliant. He's been brilliant with me, giving me wee tips and points on my on my game and just how I go about the training ground with the boys.

"The boys have been great with me as well, so for them to take me under my wing, it's just it's a dream come true to play for this club.

"I'm just taking it game by game right now. Just trying to put in as many good performances as I can and then see where it takes me

 

As said previously, a far better option than Ralston. Just * obvious the boy is a natural baller.

Criminal it takes multiple players getting injured for our youths to get a proper chance but what do I know.

 

No probably not but once AJ is back fit it's unlikely either Ralston or Donovan will get many minutes based on how much Rodgers used AJ last season so getting Donovan another 15 starts at at a Dundee or something would he great while Ralston is still here for cover until the summer.

 

Been making a good impression so far and good to see how he has been seizing the opportunity.

 

Just well done son,makes it better than result overall, well done kid.

 

Future captain at this rate, should be really proud and deserves a lot of game time. Hopefully can inspire others to come through the system

 

He really gets up and down the park with dynamism.. takes quick throws too, always looking to get the game going.

Stopped mostly everything too.

It was a decent test and he played really well.

 

Quality once again, the right back spot is his to lose now.

Ralston shouldn’t even get back in the side.

We better make sure that we tie this lad down to a long term deal.

 

A few of my thoughts of Donovan:

Great endeavour and got a really good energy about his play. He also appears to be a good decision maker on the pitch. Knows when to pass, knock it into the channel, drive with the ball, etc.
Not the most gifted technically, however, I think he can get away with that at RB.
Important not to get carried away as he’s not played that many minutes but it’s a promising start to his 1st team career.
Hopefully we can give more youth players some valuable 1st team minutes this season.

 

There was a point in the second half that he wanted to take a quick throw to Yang who would have had time to turn and drive into space. Yang starts shouting at him and pointing to go backwards.

Just about summed up our team at the moment. Donovan and Tounetki are exactly what we need from a drive and fearlessness point of view.

 

Played well again, for me we need to be doing this more in getting players in with the rest of the team being first team players.

We have too many boys now who are in no man’s land and just sitting about.

 

Inclined to just say it's his position now. Don't see any reason to give Ralston a run and Johnston needs to earn his way back in too.

We have everything to gain from giving the spot to Donovan if he keeps improving and impressing.

 

You'd have to wonder if Matthew Anderson could have flourished at left back as back up to Tierney in similar circumstances.. trust young players where appropriate and act fast in the transfer window in the other positions..

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Rodgers says personality...he means balls. Tierney-esque in terms of not shrinking or being intimidated.

 

Will be some massive bonuses paid out when he is sold. Suits rubbing their hands

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I'm not a Ralston hater. Like Taylor, he thrived in that Ange squad and in that all-out attacking side he definitely offers something. But we don't play that way anymore and he's no defender, let's be honest. Donovan is to me a more complete full back despite lacking the experience. I'd like to see him get the odd domestic game to rest AJ and keep his development going.