Celtic defender Colby Donovan sparked bemusement with a strange pre-match ritual in the tunnel at McDiarmid Park this week. The young right-back was seen vigorously bumping his shoulders against a wall as the teams lined up, a sight that confused Sky Sports analyst Kris Boyd during the live broadcast.
Positioned behind captain Callum McGregor and new goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, Donovan alternated shoulders as he drove into the corridor wall. This intense, unusual warm-up act became an immediate topic for the television commentators covering the Scottish Premiership fixture between Celtic and St Johnstone in Perth.
Why was Kris Boyd so baffled?
As host Eilidh Barbour set the scene, pundit Kris Boyd cut in to highlight the odd behaviour. "You missed that there Eilidh," Boyd stated. He continued, "I'm not quite sure sure what Colby Donovan has been doing." Boyd pointed out that the Celtic academy graduate was "barging into that wall" and correctly guessed the footage would quickly spread across social media platforms. The Daily Record was the first outlet to report on the incident.
Where does Celtic stand in the league?
This curious episode unfolded against the backdrop of Celtic's dominant early-season form. The team leads the Premiership with a 100% record, having taken maximum points from their opening five matches. They have a three-point cushion over Hearts and a goal difference of +10, stemming from 13 goals scored and just three conceded. Their current run of form is five straight wins. The latest league table can be found in the standings.
What is on the horizon for the squad?
Focus now shifts to continuing this momentum. The next challenge is a home game against Motherwell on 26 December 2026. Motherwell are currently fifth, making for a competitive fixture at Celtic Park. All future match dates are listed on the club's official fixtures page. With the squad performing so well, every player is seeking ways to stay sharp and ready, which may account for individual pre-game routines.
What is Donovan's background at Celtic?
Colby Donovan is a homegrown talent, having developed within Celtic's youth system. The full-back is part of a deep and talented roster competing for domestic honours. His distinctive preparation method highlights the personal approaches players take to achieve peak readiness. The complete player roster is available to view on the squad page. Celtic's next fixture is against Motherwell at Celtic Park on 26 December.
