Donovan's mellow about early chance as Celtic lose two

CELTIC starlet Colby Donovan believes he can take playing for the Hoops in his stride as he prepares to step up to be a key first-team pick.

- By Mark Walker

Donovan is with the Scotland Under 21s where he is set to start for Scot Gemmill's men in their Euro 2027 qualifier in the Czech Republic tonight.

He turns 19 on Sunday and he has been very much thrust into the limelight following injuries to Alistair Johnston, who is expected to be out for a couple of months with a hamstring injury and Tony Ralston, who pulled out of the Scotland squad this week with an ankle injury.

It means Donovan is now the only recognised right-back in the Celtic squad and he looks certain to start against Kilmarnock next Sunday, with games coming up in the Premier Sports Cup against Partick Thistle and Europa League against Red Star Belgrade.

He's only made two sub appearances for Celtic so far - against Livingston in the league and at Kairat Almaty in the Champions League playoff.