Martin O'Neill explains exactly what Colby Donovan has improved this season

Martin O'Neill is delighted with how Celtic youngster Colby Donovan has improved over the course of the season after seizing his first team opportunity.

Donovan was rewarded with a five-year deal on Monday after racking up 17 appearances already this season. Alistair Johnston has missed much of the season through injury, and that has given Donovan the chance to play regular football.

Donovan has been consistent with his performances, and he looks to be a homegrown gem for the Bhoys, still only 20 years of age.

Asked about what Donovan has improved to become a starter this season, albeit with the Johnston injury, O'Neill said: "I think that, for instance, he played in that game against Hearts, which was just about this time last year. The Hearts players, I think they were taking him on and Colby just kept getting beaten, retreating very, very quickly and not making any challenges before they entered the penalty box.

"Now he's coming out, he's really determined, he's closing players down more quickly. I thought he dealt with a very, very good Hearts player last Sunday. Josh McPake is flying at this minute, so Colby has gone and done that.

"And he's done well enough to get himself in the Scottish squad, so that's nice. I know he didn't participate at all in it, but it's just signs of his development.

O'Neill was also quizzed on why there aren't more Donovans currently, which is to say, there seems to be a lack of homegrown talent in the squad currently, even with a lower talent level at the club.

He responded: "I think there's a lot in that as well. I'm not saying that every single player that we sign should know the history of the football club. I expect them to know about Celtic.

"But it is nice to have some kids coming through who are Celtic through and through, who want to play for their club, whose only ambition is to play for Celtic, and to actually come up and play well and do well enough to stay on the side.

"Now, of course, it comes as a matter of circumstance as much as anything else for Colby. By chance he gets it. He gets it by chance because Alistair was injured last season. He gets in, grabs it, he's sharing at the times, obviously, with Tony.

"From pre-season, he's done exceptionally well. I know I've kept saying this before, he's got a good heart, but he's got a bit more than that. He's doing very well."

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