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Fullname: Colby Donovan
aka: –
Born: 7 September 2006
Birthplace: Glasgow, Scotland
Signed: 2 July 2022 (signed pro with Celtic)
Left: –
Position: Defender, Right-back
Debut: Celtic 3-0 Livingston, SP, 23 Aug 2025
Squad No.: 51
Internationals: […]
International Caps: [TBC at end of career]
International Goals: [TBC at end of career]
Biog
Colby Donovan was a product of the Celtic youth scheme, and played his first match with the senior squad in a friendly abroad in the USA to give him his first taste of first team action, making an impression. In an era in which the youth scheme at Celtic was constantly under attack, with a number of rising youth stars bailing out for various reasons, it was good to finally see a young player come through and finally make a claim to a first team spot at Celtic. He was a strong & physical player for his young age, and the squad needed a player with his strength to build it up.
Season 2025-26
All set for a loan move out in August 2025, the botched handling of the transfer window turned out to be a stroke of luck for Donovan, and a certain turning point for him. It opened up opportunities that had previously been unavailable, and he seized them with both hands.
With Alistair Johnstone sidelined for most of the season due to injury, Donovan found himself competing with Ralston for the right-back role—a position widely seen as a weak spot. The turmoil at Celtic, including the disastrous 2025 transfer window, strong anti-board sentiment, the departure of Brendan Rodgers, and the subsequent appointments of Martin O’Neill as interim manager and Wilfried Nancy as permanent manager, could have worked against young players. For Donovan, however, it created a window to stake his claim at the club. He was definitely undaunted by the challenge as he was to put it himself:
“I am a confident player and nothing really fazes me!”
Donovan was superb for a young player thrown in at the deep end, as shown by his standout performance in the 1-1 Europa League draw against Red Star Belgrade (Sep 2025). Yet, he still had room to grow, as seen in the tough 2-0 defeat to Braga the following month. Interim manager Martin O’Neill substituted him in the 3-1 win over Hibs (Nov 2025) after a rash first-half challenge—fortunate not to earn a red card—which highlighted his need for further development. Still, he was on the right track.
The arrival of Araújo initially pushed Donovan down the pecking order, but injuries to Araújo and Johnston’s early struggles upon his return gave Donovan another chance. He took it, offering hope for the long term.
Competition was fierce, but Donovan kept his head down and played throughout the season. Like Ralston, simply remaining involved and being selected for the first team despite the tough competition was as much an achievement as the silverware he helped win.
[….]
Quotes
“I thought he was absolutely outstanding,” he told TNT Sports. “He was incredible in the game for a young player only making his fourth or fifth start for us. “He’s got personality. It’s a big thing. He’s not frightened of anything. He passes the ball forward, he runs forward, he’s aggressive, he stops crosses. That’s how he trains – he trains to that level every day and I’m so happy for him.”
Brendan Rodgers was full of praise for teenager Colby Donovan, 1-1 v Red Star Belgrade (Sep 2025)
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Playing Career
[Table to indicate clubs played for, including dates, transfers and fees where known [e.g. soccerbase table]]
| APPEARANCES (subs) |
LEAGUE | SCOTTISH CUP | LEAGUE CUP | EUROPE | TOTAL |
| 2025-26 | |||||
| Goals | |||||
| 2026-27 | |||||
| Goals | |||||
| 2027-28 | |||||
| Goals | |||||
| 2028-29 | |||||
| Goals | |||||
| Total | |||||
| Goals |
Honours with Celtic
(Honours are marked below in which the player has played in at least one of the matches in the campaign.)
Scottish League
- […]
Scottish Cup
- […]
Scottish League Cup
- […]
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Notes
Articles
Two Celtic youngsters make positive impression during DC United clash
21st July
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has provided opportunities to his young players this summer and two of them left another positive impression on him in Saturday’s opening match of the Hoops’ U.S. tour.
Colby Donovan and Matthew Anderson both got the starting nod in Celtic’s eventual 4-0 victory over DC United at Audi Field. Both players have continued to knock on the door of the first team squad, fighting to be part of the plans for the upcoming Scottish Premiership season.
Donovan started and played 62 minutes for Celtic at right back, showing positive moments on both ends of the field. The 17-year-old academy product made 12 appearances for Celtic’s B team last season, which has led to a larger first team role during this summer’s pre-season.
No decision has been made on whether or not Donovan will stay with the first team for the start of Scottish Premiership play in August, but he certainly didn’t hurt his stock on Saturday.
“Colby is 17, he’s really aggressive and strong, and I think once he develops physically and understands the game even more then he’ll be a good player,” Rodgers said post match to reporters when asked about Donovan.
“He works very hard, he has personality, which you need if you want to play for Celtic. It was nice to see him tonight with the first team and performing at a high level.
20-year-old Anderson logged 45 minutes at left back, coming close to finding the back of the net in the first half. Anderson, a Scottish youth national team player, spent last season on loan with Austrian second-tier side FC Admira Wacker, scoring once and adding six assists in 22 appearances.
Although he only just arrived back in the Celtic squad this summer, Anderson has shown stellar growth in a short period of time.
“Matthew is obviously a bit older, he’s had the opportunity to go out and work on loan and now he’s shown that he’s progressed,” Rodgers said. “He was a real attacking threat and was really unfortunate to not score tonight. I was pleased with both of them [Anderson and Donovan] tonight.”
Tougher opposition awaits for Celtic in the coming week with both Manchester City and Chelsea facing them in the Hoops’ final two matches of their U.S. tour. Donovan and Anderson did well to boost their stock against DC United, but delivering similar showings against two of the Premier League’s well-known sides could be what pushes them over the top.
Celtic starlet delivers passionate Parkhead confession amid glowing verdict on ‘brilliant’ Brendan Rodgers
By Graham Falk
Sports Writer
Published 25th Sep 2025, 08:44 BST
Updated 25th Sep 2025, 13:15 BST
The Celtic teen impressed fans with a mature performance in the 1-1 Europa League draw with Crvena zvezda.
Celtic starlet Colby Donovan couldn’t hide his excitement after making his Europa League debut in Wednesday night’s 1-1 draw with Crvena zvezda, admitting the experience felt almost unreal.
A second-half strike from substitute Kelechi Iheanacho had put the visitors on course for victory early in the second-half, though Brendan Rodgers’ side were forced to settle for a point after experienced former West Ham United star Marko Arnautović levelled the scores shortly after the Nigerian’s opener.
Colby Donovan has impressed Celtic fans after starting the club’s last three games.
Colby Donovan has impressed Celtic fans after starting the club’s last three games. | PA
After securing a deserved point in the Serbian capital, teenage talent Donovan was singled out for special praise after impressing Celtic fans with a mature performance in testing circumstances. The 19-year-old has started the club’s last three games after a spate of injuries to both Alistair Johnston and Anthony Ralston, but he kept his place in the starting XI and was handed his first European start in Belgrade despite Ralston’s return to full fitness.
“It was brilliant to get the start,” said Donovan. “To come in for a big game, even though it’s a hard place to come, they put me in to start. To put the performance in I did, and to get the point over here is just brilliant. I’m over the moon. It was a bit of nerves, but you’ve always got to have nerves as a young player going in. But as soon as I got here, it left me, and as soon as I heard the first whistle, I knew it was time to go – time to work.”
Heralded for his performance in the intimidating Rajko Mitic Stadium atmosphere by Rodgers in the aftermath of the game, the Celtic boss said, “Coming to this stadium, which is a real challenge. He played with personality, he played with composure, and he has a toughness to him where he’s not going to get beaten easily.”
Donovan admits he just took all in his stride, though, telling TNT Sports: “It’s a hard place to come with the atmosphere. You hear the crowd behind you as you come in for the warm-up; they’re just on you non-stop. As a team, when you hear that, it makes you want to play better and get forward. We got what we deserved.
“As a young player, I take pride in my personality and how I go about my day-to-day life. Playing under the gaffer has been brilliant. He’s been brilliant with me, he’s given me wee touching points on my game. The boys have been great, too, taking me under their wing. Playing for this club is a dream come true. It’s a big confidence boost. He’s a top, top manager. I’m over the moon.”
‘Nothing Fazes Me’ – Colby Donovan Ready to Step Up Amid Celtic Injury Crisis
By
Michael Shearer –
September 5, 2025
‘Nothing Fazes Me’ – Colby Donovan Ready to Step Up Amid Celtic Injury Crisis
Colby Donovan says he is ready to take his chance at Celtic after receiving encouragement from Brendan Rodgers during recent talks.
The young defender is set to be handed more opportunities with Alistair Johnston sidelined for a couple of months due to a hamstring problem and Anthony Ralston also struggling with an ankle injury picked up on Scotland duty.
Donovan has already broken into the first-team picture this season, making his debut against Livingston and gaining valuable experience in the Champions League. His progress has been noticed by Rodgers, who has told him he has the qualities to play a bigger part.
The player admits he is eager to repay that faith when he returns from international duty with Scotland under-21s, but his immediate focus remains on Scotland’s crucial upcoming match.
He said: (RecordSport), “I heard about Tony’s injury, and it’s not good news because he is a great player for Celtic. He will be a big loss.
“But I am a confident player and nothing really fazes me. So when I am back at Celtic I will get right to it.
“But I have to focus here on Scotland because we have a massive game ahead of us. When I am back, then I can deal with that.
“I’ve come on leaps and bounds as a player and had a good start to the season.
“I got to make my senior debut against Livingston, and I also got to play in the Champions League. Now I just need to keep it going.
“The gaffer here has always told me that he likes me as a player and he admires my confidence.
“So I always knew if I kept my head down and kept working, I would be in and about the first team.
“It’s always good to hear that the manager recognises you and has trust in you. So when I heard that coming from him, I was really thrilled.“
Donovan’s rise comes at a crucial moment for Celtic, with injuries leaving Rodgers short of options in the right-back position. His composure and willingness to step up could prove vital in the coming weeks.
The teenager’s mix of confidence and maturity has impressed both club and country, suggesting he could become a regular feature for Rodgers’ side if he continues on his current path.
Soccer Football – Scottish Premiership – Rangers v Celtic – Ibrox, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – August 31, 2025 Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers arrives at the stadium before the match REUTERS/Russell Cheyne
Supporters will be encouraged by his hunger to push forward, especially given Rodgers’ glowing words about his progress so far.
With Celtic facing a demanding run of fixtures in the league and in Europe, Donovan knows the chance is there to establish himself. His challenge now is to grab it.