Colby Donovan calls on Celtic supporters to unite behind Martin O’Neill
Celtic defender Colby Donovan has urged the club’s supporters to stand firmly behind the team and manager Martin O’Neill, insisting that unity will be crucial as the Hoops look to rediscover their winning form.
The young right-back knows better than most what it means to support Celtic. Less than six months ago, Donovan was among the travelling supporters at Fir Park, celebrating wildly after Kelechi Iheanacho’s dramatic 97th-minute winner moved Celtic closer to the Scottish Premiership title.
Now an established member of the first-team squad, the academy graduate found himself facing those same supporters in very different circumstances following Sunday’s disappointing 2-0 defeat to Falkirk.
The result represented Celtic’s sixth defeat in 10 matches, with frustration among the travelling support spilling over at full-time as players were confronted by angry fans.
Donovan understands their disappointment, having experienced the highs and lows of following Celtic from the stands. However, he believes the supporters’ backing remains vital if the club are to emerge from their current difficulties.
“It’s never a great feeling when you see your fans like that, but that’s how Celtic fans are,” Donovan said as reported by Metro Sport. “We don’t pick up wins, it’s the same. We seen it at home the other night. The message is that we all just need to stick together.
“You see in the split last year when the fans are on our side and they give us noise, it’s like a 12th man to be fair. When they turn on us it’s not great, we just need them all together.
“I know what it’s like to look in from a fan’s perspective. It’s not great, you want your club to win every game. When we can’t deliver for them, it’s not going to be all happy.
“The fans are going to be upset, but it’s just trying to get that message across to them that we need them. You know in this club, it’s nothing without the fans, so we need them on our side in every game. That’s the message I just try to give to them.”
Donovan’s rise has been one of the positives for Celtic over the past year. Having made 27 appearances across all competitions last season, the youngster has already featured 19 times during the current campaign.
Injuries to Alistair Johnston have also provided Donovan with an opportunity to establish himself as a regular starter at right-back.
However, representing his boyhood club brings an additional emotional attachment, making disappointing results particularly difficult to accept.
“It’s tough, it’s never easy to lose a football game. You ask any football player, you never want to lose,” Colby said. “When you lose games like this, it’s such a big club. As it’s your boyhood club, it does take a big toll on you.
“I look round the changing room and all the boys are the same, none of us want to get beat. As I said, we all just try and stick together. Nobody turns on each other, we stick together and go on to the next one.”
That message of togetherness also extends to O’Neill, whose position has increasingly come under scrutiny following a difficult run of performances.
The Celtic manager enjoyed a remarkable return last season, guiding the club to a domestic double after taking charge during a challenging period. However, Sunday’s display at Falkirk raised further questions about the team’s attacking approach and overall performances.
Celtic struggled to create meaningful opportunities in the opening 45 minutes, while Falkirk looked considerably more comfortable within their system and deservedly went into the interval with a two-goal advantage.
Despite the growing criticism surrounding the manager, Donovan has made it clear that the players remain firmly behind him.
“We stick with the gaffer always, no matter who it is,” Donovan said as reported by Metro Sport. “When they come in here, they’re a Celtic manager. Nobody will ever turn against them.
“He’s some manager, you saw it last season as well. How good he was, he came in when times were tough for us and just led us to a good double. You never turn against the manager.”
The reaction from sections of the support following the final whistle was difficult to ignore, with criticism of O’Neill becoming increasingly prominent online.
While the problems facing Celtic extend beyond the manager’s position, there is little doubt that patience among supporters is beginning to wear thin.
Donovan, though, insists that outside criticism will not affect his determination to perform for the club.
“To be honest, I was a fan at one point,” Donovan admitted. “I still see all the things around the club and it doesn’t get to me, to be fair. It makes me want to go harder, it makes me want to play harder for the club. When I see stuff like that, I just put it away and put it in the back of my mind.”
The youngster also demonstrated his loyalty to his defensive team-mates by refusing to single out Cameron Carter-Vickers following the American’s involvement in Falkirk’s opening goal.
“It’s a football game at the end of the day. Obviously it was tough conditions on the Astro, we’ve not played on that in a long time, but you never dig a player out, never,” the youngster added.
Despite the recent disappointment, Celtic remain top of the Scottish Premiership, providing Donovan and his team-mates with a platform from which to rebuild their confidence.
The defender believes the current squad has the character and experience to overcome the difficult spell, pointing towards last season’s remarkable turnaround as evidence of what can be achieved when everyone pulls in the same direction.
“We just try and keep giving the same message and I’m sure it’ll click. Last year it was a tough time for the club and everyone knows that. We came through that with flying colours, we went on to win a double that season, so I’m sure nothing changes.
“We’re the same group of boys here, there’s still a good core group from last year, so I’m sure it’ll click for us.”
For Donovan, the message is straightforward, Celtic have been through difficult periods before and emerged stronger. With the title race still in their hands, Colby is convinced that sticking together, backing the manager and reconnecting with the supporters can help Celtic get their season back on track.
