Colby Donovan – 'I thought he was terrific,' Martin O’Neill

Last night Colby Donovan produced yet another impressive performance on the European stage as he excelled in the 3-1 win over Feyenoord in Rotterdam.

Tony Ralston, who has been rather lacklustre in recent games, and was very poor in the 3-1 defeat in Midtjylland after being battered with the ball straight in the face, is seen as the preferred back up to the injured Alistair Johnston.

However young Colby has proved without doubt that he more than deserves a run of games in the Canadian’s absence until the New Year.

Ralston is of course a Scotland player while Donovan plays for the Scotland u21s. An extended run in the Celtic team, building on his impressive showing last night, could actually see him coming into contention for Steve Clarke’s World Cup squad for next summer. It’s certainly a target for Colby to aim for and that can only benefit Celtic, with the new manager coming in at the start of the next week.

You would imagine that Wilfried Nancy will have been watching carefully last night and will have been impressed by the Celtic performance, including the young rookie who only made his Celtic debut back in August.

Tony Ralston gives his all in a Celtic shirt, that can’t be argued. But Colby Donovan seems much more gifted, and he can put in the hard graft too. He has all the ingredients to be a special player for Celtic for years to come.

Against Feyenoord, and away to Zagreb as well for that matter, he looked very mature beyond his years. He shows no fear in the big games, and is more than worthy of a longer run in the side.

It will be interesting to see who Martin selects in the right back berth for Sundays clash with Hibs, or indeed incoming boss Wilfried Nancy going forward, but I suspect that both managers will see no valid reason – other than tired legs – to take him out of the team.

Young Colby more than deserves his chance to be a regular starter for Celtic through until the New Year and we can be confident that he’s up to the task and is not going to let anyone down. He can also act as an inspiration to the Celtic Academy players that there is indeed a pathway to the Celtic first team, something that hasn’t always been the case in recent years.

Martin O’Neill, speaking to Celtic TV after the 3-1 win in De Kuip against Feyenoord had this to say about Colby Donovan. “Couldn’t be more pleased with him. Couldn’t be more pleased. I thought that he had a tough time at Hearts. Got left out. He’s come in here. I’ve seen bits of him now that I think, ‘Yeah, wait a minute, there’s a player there’.

“And I thought he was terrific, because he was up against a really decent player. And he coped admirably, considering we were away from home. And, yeah, I couldn’t be more pleased with him. I said to him in the dressing room there that he was magnificent tonight.”

Green Friday Sale Now on at Celtic Star Books, all books other than David Potter’s Celtic in the Eighties, are now HALF PRICE! Great Christmas Shopping bargains, choose from Celtic in the Thirties, volumes One and Two, Harry Hood – Twice as Good, Bould Bhoys – Glory to Their Name – The Story of Celtic’s First Title Win,  Invincible, Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style, Majic Stan and the King of Japan – Gordon Strachan’s first season at Celtic and there are also a few remaining copies of Alec McNair – Celtic’s Icicle.

All these books shown below are now HALF PRICE at only a TENNER each and please note that you will only be charged postage on the first book in your order, so order two or more and get FREE postage on the second book onwards.

Shop now at Celticstarbooks.com and support the great historical writing from our authors on The Celtic Star. High quality hardback books and the best Celtic writers all in one place. Also if you are ordering any of ’s books he’ll be happy to add a personal dedication, just ask in notes when ordering and Matt will do the rest!