Colby Donovan in action during Partick Thistle v Celtic. Premier Sports League Cup tie. Sunday 21 September. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
Q: Brendan, just on young Colby Donovan, it was a really nice moment for him at the end there. How pleased have you been with his contributions since stepping into the team?
Brendan Rodgers: “Yes, delighted for Colby, and a little bit at the end was just to let him feel that moment that he probably dreams of all his life, being a Celtic supporter. I’ve always loved his personality, coming back the second time, just seeing him as a young player, and he was going through a growth spurt in his first year at the club. But what he has, he has the personality to play for Celtic, and I thought he did very well today. The servicing of the ball was good, aggressive. Sometimes a young player can get picked out for the ball to go on that side, but he’s dominant in the air, and he’s only going to get better. So, really pleased for him, and he trains really well every day, and he was deserving of his opportunity.”
Colby Donovan celebrates after the Partick Thistle v Celtic match. Premier Sports League Cup tie. Sunday 21 September. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
Q: He said he’s bonded with Kieran Tierney, that’s his ideal role model, isn’t it? Look no further than Kieran?
Brendan Rodgers: “I think all the kids coming through can really look to all the young players that have come through the system. James Forrest, you look at Callum and all the guys that have come through, and Stephen Welsh, and Tony Ralston, all these players that have come through the system, they’re all of the same DNA, humble, hard-working and consistent, and Colby’s definitely learning from him.”
Brendan Rodgers applauds the Celtic support. Partick Thistle v Celtic. Premier Sports League Cup. Sunday 21 September. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
Q: Is he likely to keep his place, Brendan, or could you have Tony Ralston back for Belgrade?
Brendan Rodgers: “Tony will train on Monday. Listen, there’s no one guaranteed. If you’re playing and performing, you’re playing in the team. So, there’s nobody that I would ever say is a definite starter in any position. You train not just to play, but you train to fight, and if you’re training and fighting and running and working, then you’ll get the chance to play. But you also have to be aware of his age and the number of games coming into the system, but he’s shown that he can be a first-team player at Celtic. That’s really good for him.”
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Decent performance yesterday, on another poor pitch, so exciting prospect of what this team of ours, to see what can actually be produced in the next 2 games on better playing surfaces.
The structure of the squad is completed now by the looks of things. Hopefully the one dimensional look, doesn’t become an issue, where it’s so obvious what our gameplan will be for every game, with starting 11, and subs used in games.
The fiasco over the summer, I still don’t believe is totally finalised either, especially as only 3 changes are allowed in January to our European squad, which I still believe that potentially has more than 3 at present, who could be looking at there futures elsewhere from ourselves.
Got time now, over the challenges ahead over the next few months now, so have to see what develops regarding that situation. At least when jota returns, it could provide a better balance in our attacking options, especially as we could look unbalanced with our right side in operation?
Big few months for yang, who even if quite enough yesterday, still had big moments within the game. Our style of play involves big moments within it, plenty produced yesterday, and delighted to see so many contributing to those big moments, as that should improve confidence going forward for ourselves imo.
Would like to think that yesterday, was eventually the kick start of our season, been a while in waiting, but eventually achieved by the looks of things.
Whether that’s good or enough, remains an answer in waiting, but confidence growing after yesterday, for myself anyway.