Colby Donovan worthy of a start tomorrow
With Alistair Johnston out for a lengthy spell, and Tony Ralston one hundred percent after taking a knock in Almaty, we face quite the conundrum as to who starts in the right back berth at Ibrox tomorrow lunchtime. Ralston missed training yesterday but the manager reckoned that’d he’d be fine – but he would say that wouldn’t he?
Anthony Ralston of Celtic substituted for Colby Donovan of Celtic. Celtic v Livingston, William Hill Scottish Premiership, Football, Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, UK – 23 August 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace Shutterstock
Yet all indications are that Tony could yet make the starting line up but if he is sidelined, the other option available to Brendan could be that of young Colby Donovan who appeared from the bench against both Livingston and Kairat and impressed on each occasion.
Colby who turns 19 in just over a weeks time is a highly rated prospect within the club, and was said to be on the verge of a loan move to Dundee until Alistair Johnston’s unfortunate hamstring injury forced the Celtic manager into a rethink.
Colby Donovan of Celtic celebrates their goal to make it 1-2 Cork City v Celtic, Pre Season Friendly, Football, SuperValu Pairc Ui Chaoimh, Cork, Ireland – 08 July 2025. Photo Lorraine O’Sullivan Shutterstock
Colby received plaudits for his cameo in Almaty despite the outcome, catapulting him into the thoughts for a starting spot at Ibrox as we vie to create that nine point gap between us and Russell Martin’s team.
Some would say that Colby is young and inexperienced, and it would represent a major gamble flinging him into the pressure pot that is Ibrox on derby day, but as the old saying goes, if you’re good enough you’re old enough. And he’s certainly very good indeed.
The other thing this would do is send out a message to the Celtic Academy players that there is now a better pathway to the Celtic team as tomorrow could illustrate perfectly.
COYBIG
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Foreword by Danny McGrain. Published on Celtic Star Books on 5 September 2025. Click on image to pre-order.
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For the first time in a long time I’m not looking forward to tomorrow’s derby. It feels like a no win scenario. We beat them, it’s expected, they are woeful. We don’t, how low have our standards dropped? Are we truly on the decline? Much talk about players and managers. What about systems? We make safe short passes, sdeways and backwards, keeping possession (if lucky) but losing momentum and attacking threat. It is dull, boring, predictable and mostly ineffective. Did anyone watch Hibs last night? Win the ball, turn, face upfield, initiate an attack. That’s proper football. When Brendan leaves, let’s grab Gray from Hibs. Meanwhile, why haven’t we signed Martin Boyle and Miovski? All is not well in our fabulous club.