Colby Donovan Scotland Call-Up
Celtic Youngster Colby Donovan Set for First Scotland Call-Up Following Strong Performances
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Key Points
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Celtic captain Callum McGregor said the team played as “individuals” rather than as a unified side in the defeat to Rangers, while O’Neill stressed that Celtic must recover in two matches before the international break.
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Donovan’s performance at Ibrox included a first-half booking for a late challenge on Djeidi Gassama and a second-half confrontation with James Penrice, yet he continued playing aggressively despite Celtic’s struggles.
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Donovan said he tries not to think about Scotland selection and instead focuses on giving Celtic “110 per cent” whenever he wears the club’s shirt, hoping his performances would catch the new manager’s attention.
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Scott Brown said Donovan’s proposed move to Ayr was so advanced that the defender had already been sitting in Brown’s office when Alistair Johnston suffered a hamstring injury during Celtic’s Champions League qualifier against Kairat Almaty. Donovan then made his Celtic senior debut from the bench against Livingston three days later.
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O’Neill said Donovan’s resilience was not limited to the Rangers match, noting that he also continued playing after being booked early against St Mirren and describing his “heart and desire” as a major positive for Celtic.
Celtic's young right-back Colby Donovan is set for his first Scotland call-up after impressing manager Martin O'Neill with his grit and aggression. Donovan has seized his opportunity while filling in for injured Alistair Johnston, making eight consecutive starts and moving ahead of Anthony Ralston in the pecking order according to Scott Brown. His emergence comes after a narrow escape — he was about to join Ayr on loan when Johnston's hamstring injury in a Champions League qualifier forced Celtic to keep him.
From Loan Candidate to Celtic Starter
Donovan's path to the first team was nearly derailed. Scott Brown revealed the defender was sitting in his office at Ayr, ready to complete a loan move, when Alistair Johnston got hurt during Celtic's Champions League qualifier against Kairat Almaty. Three days later, Donovan made his senior debut from the bench against Livingston and never looked back. He has now started eight consecutive matches and pushed aside rival Anthony Ralston for the right-back spot.
O'Neill Praises Donovan as an 'Absolute Warrior'
After Celtic's 3-0 defeat to Rangers in the Premier Sports Cup, manager Martin O'Neill singled out Donovan for praise despite the team's poor overall display. O'Neill called the young defender an "absolute warrior," highlighting his commitment and resilience as the kind of character Celtic needs. O'Neill noted that while parts of Donovan's game can improve, his "heart and desire" stand out as major positives for the club.
Donovan's toughness was on full display at Ibrox. He picked up a first-half booking for a late challenge on Rangers' Djeidi Gassama and later clashed with James Penrice in the second half. Yet he continued playing with aggression and intensity despite Celtic's struggles. O'Neill noted that Donovan showed the same resilience in an earlier match against St Mirren, where he was booked early but kept fighting.
Donovan Focused on Celtic, Not Scotland Selection
Despite the buzz around his Scotland prospects, Donovan says he keeps his head down. The young defender refuses to think about international selection and instead concentrates on giving Celtic "110 per cent" every time he pulls on the shirt. Donovan believes his performances will catch new Scotland manager Sebastien Pocognoli's attention without him chasing headlines. His humility and work ethic have impressed club management.
Celtic Must Recover Before International Break
The 3-0 loss to Rangers exposed serious problems in Celtic's teamwork. Captain Callum McGregor said the team played as "individuals" rather than a unified side, and O'Neill stressed that Celtic must bounce back in two matches before the international break arrives. The manager's criticism of his squad's lack of unity and intensity sent a clear message that character and cohesion are non-negotiable at the club.
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