Celtic boss Martin O'Neill is convinced teenager Colby Donovan can play a leading role for Scotland under new manager Sebastien Pocognoli, after the 19-year-old impressed in last week's Champions League play-off first leg thriller against LASK.
Donovan was thrown in at the deep end for the Parkhead side and rose to the occasion, having already stepped up in the Europa League last season. With regular right-back Alistair Johnston facing months out, Donovan could save O'Neill some hassle and a whack of cash as the club consider their options.
O'Neill praises Donovan's heart
O'Neill said: “He may not have all the things that Alistair Johnston possesses. But he has massive heart. That will be up to the Scotland manager to decide that. But if it was on pure heart alone, Colby would be the captain.
“It’s really nice to see him doing so well. It was great, really really great. It was probably epitomised by Colby, throwing his body in there and getting challenges in. He really stuck to the task. Funnily enough, in some of the European games last season he stepped up well for us too.”
Another test in Austria
Donovan will be needed again on Tuesday night as Celtic look to seal the deal in Austria. The 3-0 first leg lead has fired the Hoops into a commanding position, but O'Neill is not a man who sticks his feet up and gets the cigar out.
His job is keeping Celtic on track, but he admitted he does like giving adopted nation Scotland a helping hand. O'Neill brought in stars from all over Europe during his first spell in charge 25 years ago and had cast the net far and wide this summer, but he also has a reputation for blooding youngsters.
Youth pathway at Celtic
Back then it was now No.2 Shaun Maloney who made the breakthrough, followed by the likes of Aiden McGeady, while John Kennedy was also a key man before suffering the cruellest of injuries. Donovan has blazed a trail this time around and O'Neill is hoping others at the club can take note.
O'Neill said: “I think I earned my spurs in that aspect. But it’s like everything else, young players will come through if they’re good enough. Maloney, you could tell a mile away he was going to be good enough to play in the side. It was the same with McGeady and others. John Kennedy was destined for a really good career before it was cut short.
“I know I have signed some foreign players, and I know there are questions being asked about the dearth of young Scottish players coming through. I think back to my early playing days and every side in the First Division - what they call the Premier League now - had Scots. At Nottingham Forest, we had loads.
“I'd hope so. We have a couple of young lads playing the B team who I think will be really good players. By the time that they are, I will be well and truly gone! But they will be good players. They’re only 17 now, one called Liam Kennedy, who is a really good footballer.
“I’m also hoping that wee Sean McArdle pushes on and comes right through. We need a wee bit of luck somewhere along the way, but we have one or two lads who I would love to watch at Hampden one day playing for Scotland.”
