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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
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Quotes
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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
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Scottish Cup
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Scottish League Cup
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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.”