Celtic should be concerned they don't have more talents like Colby Donovan
Celtic tied Celtic Colby Donovan down to a long-term deal on Monday night in a smart deal based on what we have seen so far this season.
Donovan has been superb at right-back, deputising for the injured Alistair Johnston and keeping more senior players like Jordan Lotomba and Anthony Ralston out of the team.
Donovan has already racked up 17 appearances across all competitions, including 15 starts, and Martin O'Neill knows he can rely on the 20-year-old, both in terms of quality and effort level.
But he is not the only youngster impressing, with Callum Osmand producing bright performances on the left recently, while Dane Murray, who is not quite so young at 23, having filled in well at centre-back amid availability issues there.
Celtic willlikely look to address those two contracts next, with both players out of terms in 2028, but it does raise the question over the lack of young talent in this squad.
Why are there not more Celtic young talents making an impact?
While Donovan, Osmand and Murray are impressing, it is a little surprising that there aren't more players of that age making an impact.
Celtic are short at left-back this season and had to loan in an 18-year-old from Chelsea to help out, rather than having an 18-year-old of their own who is good enough.
There is no obvious standout talent in midfield despite there being a clear lack of options in the holding roles, and the same goes for the winger roles, with Osmand, who is a striker, currently playing out wide on the left.
Celtic are a big club with, for the most part, the pick of the litter in terms of Scottish talent, and with regular European football, one would imagine they could convince plenty of players from abroad to join their academy, too.
But the standard being produced doesn't fall in line with that. We are not seeing the regular introduction of young, talented players at senior level, and while you can understand it when first-team talent level is high, but it is not this season.
The likes of Oliver Sorensen, who were signed late in the summer, just aren't great, and there should be opportunities there for young players to stake their claim. But we haven't seen it, and that should raise a red flag as far as the academy system is concerned. These opportunities need to be seized when it comes to the development of young players, even if Donovan and Co are a major plus.
