Accommodating Colby Donovan and Alistair Johnston in a Celtic starting XI
Could Colby Donovan’s strength and enthusiasm see him grab a midfield role for Celtic?
With Alistair Johnston closing in on a Celtic return that’s a possibility Martin O’Neill could well be contemplating…
Young Colby Donovan has impressed these past few weeks after being handed the opportunity of an extended run in the first team as he bids to make a name for himself at Celtic Football Club.
The 20 year old has reacted well to being pitched in a direct replacement for the frequently injured Alistair Johnston, but will probably have to make way for the Canadian who is expected back anytime soon.
Colby, whose performances recently earned him a call up to the Scottish national squad, can consider himself unfortunate if he is to make way when Johnston is fit enough for first team football, but he may well have another option to continue to impress Martin O’Neill and the Celtic support.
Perhaps there could be another way to accommodate both players in the side, and that would involve deploying Colby in the middle of the park as a midfielder rather than a right-back.
What impresses me most about Colby is his all round game. He’s good defensively and offensively, and is always looking for the right pass.
He may lose the ball now and again, but makes up for that by looking to make amends by winning it straight back. He’s also prone to being a bit rash and late with his challenges, but he’s slowly learning and improving which has been notable these past few weeks. The enthusiasm of youth will soon see a more mature player wearing the hoops and that can only be good news for Celtic.
Colby carries a great physique which naturally makes him stronger when it comes to challenging for the ball, which gives him all the attributes to be a success in the centre of the pitch.
Some will say he’s a right back first and foremost, but he’s a footballer and is young enough to adapt to a new role.
He knows the club, he knows Scottish football, and most importantly of all he’s a talented footballer, so should handing him a chance in our problematic midfield area be under consideration?
It may be something Martin O’Neill is starting to think about as Alistair Johnston nears full fitness after his latest injury.
And spare a thought for Anthony Ralston who has gone from playing at the World Cup for Scotland in the summer to dropping out the picture almost completely for Celtic.
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