Celtic defender Colby Donovan has signed a new contract that will keep him at Parkhead until the summer of 2031, capping a whirlwind year in which he broke into the first team and earned an international call-up.
The right-back, who has been at the club since the age of seven, described himself as a "loose cannon" in the dressing room but insisted he is only getting started after putting pen to paper on Monday.
A whirlwind year capped by new deal
Speaking after signing, Donovan said the contract does not mean he can settle or take a back seat. "This isn't the end for me. I need to kick on and keep doing what I have been doing," he said.
"When you are starting week in, week out, and putting in good performances, it gives you a massive confidence boost. I can't think that I have done my part because I got the new contract. It doesn't mean settling and taking a back seat. I want to thrive for the next five years I am here. Then hopefully I get another five-year deal and stay for as long as I can."
Following Kieran Tierney's path
Donovan hopes to carve out a career similar to that of Kieran Tierney, his role model from the academy days, albeit on the opposite side of Celtic's defence. "When we were young, KT was the role model for the academy. We looked at what he was doing and looked up to him, because everyone at the club loved him," he said.
"When I heard KT was coming back to the club last summer, I was buzzing. I have come up to the first team and he's taken me under his wing. We have been getting on like a house on fire. It's been class."
Dressing room character
Donovan acknowledged his outspoken nature as a young player coming through. "I am quite vocal in the dressing room but you have to be that way as a young boy coming through. I might be a pain sometimes, but I am sure they love it!" he said.
"I am just being myself. I am a loose cannon at times and sometimes I don't think. I am pretty loud but I am young and like to have a laugh and a joke. Are the older boys having me? Probably not but it's good to have younger boys in there and we can all have a laugh. There are different characters but we have a good changing room and when it's time to work, that's what we do."
