Colby Donovan, 19, made his Champions League debut for Celtic in the first-leg play-off against LASK, a match that ended 3-0 in favour of the Parkhead club. The win secured Celtic’s spot in the group stage of Europe’s top competition.
Donovan was the first-choice right-back after Alistair Johnston was ruled out with injury. He stepped into the starting XI with confidence, a calmness that was evident from the moment he entered the pitch. The teenager’s performance was described as “superb” and “full-blooded” by club officials.
Celtic’s goals came from Benjamin Nygren and a double from Colombian star Camilo Duran. Nygren opened the scoring, while Duran’s second goal was a curling effort into the top corner that left the crowd in raptures. Donovan praised Duran’s effort, calling it “the icing on the cake” and noting that the Colombian’s work rate “was absolutely unbelievable” in the second half.
The former ball boy reflected on the moment, saying: “I try and give my best for the badge every game I go into. Hearing the fans before the game with that Champions League anthem, it was so special. This is what I want to play in, I want to play in the highest competition.” He added that the anthem gave him an extra 10 per cent boost and that the experience was “words actually can’t describe.”
Donovan’s calm on the field was mirrored by his off-field humility. He recalled his days as a ball boy, running up and down the pitch during matches such as the St Mirren game and the Motherwell away fixture. He said, “I was up running like a daft man! I was on the park at Motherwell away as well. Coming here on special nights like this, it’s what you dream, isn’t it?”
With Johnston sidelined for another spell, Donovan sees an extended run in the team. He said, “I don’t really bother. Somebody’s got to fill his boots and put a performance in that people will be proud of. Hopefully I’ve done that for the fans.” He also credited training with Canadian international Alistair Johnston as invaluable, noting that “you learn from Ali every day.”
The 3-0 victory was a decisive step for Celtic after last year’s Kairat Almaty disaster. Donovan’s debut, combined with the team’s strong showing, signals a promising future for the club in Europe.
