Colby Donovan’s Celtic breakthrough earns Scotland call up

Colby Donovan’s rapid rise at Celtic has been rewarded with a first call-up to the senior Scotland squad. In the announcement earlier on Tuesday, Sébastien Pocognoli confirmed a place for the Celtic defender in his revamped squad.

The academy graduate has firmly established himself as a first-team option, initially benefiting from Alistair Johnston’s injury before producing performances which have increasingly justified his place in Martin O’Neill’s plans.

Donovan has now accumulated 37 senior appearances for Celtic across domestic and European competition, contributing four assists. Ten of those outings have arrived this season, including six in the Premiership, underlining his growing importance within the squad.

Despite Sunday’s disappointing 3-0 defeat at Ibrox, the right-back was one of Celtic’s more encouraging performers. His excellent early pass released Kasper Høgh and offered a glimpse of the composure and quality he has increasingly demonstrated at senior level.

That progress has now been recognised by new Scotland manager Pocognoli, who has included Donovan among the uncapped players in his first senior squad.

For Celtic, it represents another significant milestone in the development of one of the club’s brightest academy prospects. Donovan was handed his opportunity and, rather than simply providing temporary cover, has increasingly looked capable of establishing himself as a long-term first-team player.