Is Colby Donovan Proof That Trusting Youth Actually Works?

For years, Celtic supporters have been told that the academy is producing talent.

The problem is that producing talent and giving that talent a genuine pathway into the first team are two very different things.

Colby Donovan might now be giving Celtic the clearest evidence yet that trusting youth can actually work.

The 19-year-old has taken his opportunity with both hands following Alistair Johnston’s injury. He impressed against LASK in the (first-leg), produced a plethora of impressive performances in the league and seems to becoming a real valued member of the squad.

And now there are reports that the new Scotland manager, Sebastien Pocognoli, is considering Donovan for a Scotland call-up.

That is a remarkable progression for a player who, not long ago, was simply viewed as another academy prospect waiting for his opportunity.

Pocognoli was actually in the stands to watch Celtic against LASK, and Donovan’s performance reportedly caught his attention.

And then comes Jordan Lotomba

This is where things become slightly more complicated.

Celtic have brought in Jordan Lotomba, an experienced Switzerland international who has played at Nice and Feyenoord and has European experience. The move makes obvious sense from a squad-building perspective, particularly with Johnston injured.

But there is a danger.

Lotomba’s arrival immediately becomes the unquestioned first-choice right-back, where does that leave Donovan?

That is the balancing act Celtic need to get right.

Because bringing in experienced players isn’t the problem.

Blocking young players is.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with Lotomba competing with Donovan. In fact, having an experienced international around him could help Donovan develop.

But if Donovan goes from playing every week and attracting the attention of the Scotland manager to sitting on the bench every week, Celtic risk undoing some of the progress they have just created.

The whole point of academy development is to get players into the first team.

Not to use them there temporarily until an experienced signing arrives.

Shaun Maloney has already made the point with Dane Murray

And this isn’t just about Donovan.

Shaun Maloney has already spoken incredibly highly of Dane Murray, with Celtic’s coaching staff believing their centre-back options are strong enough without another signing.

More importantly, Murray has been identified as someone who could potentially push his way into the Scotland squad.

Think about that.

Celtic currently have two young academy defenders who are being discussed in the context of the Scotland senior team.

That shouldn’t be dismissed.

It should be seen as evidence that the pathway can work when players are actually given a chance.

Murray’s situation is particularly interesting because there have been opportunities to simply go into the market and buy another centre-back.

Instead, Maloney has effectively said, ‘We have a player here we believe in.’

And that belief matters.

Celtic need to stop being afraid of their own academy

This is the frustrating part.

Celtic have spent years investing in an academy while simultaneously making it incredibly difficult for academy players to establish themselves.

We hear about producing Champions League players.

But the pathway only exists if someone is prepared to take the final step.

Donovan has taken it.

Murray is trying to take it.

And suddenly we are talking about both players in the context of Scotland.

That should be celebrated.

But it should also make Celtic think very carefully about recruitment.

If Lotomba is here to provide competition, experience and cover while helping Donovan develop, brilliant.

If his arrival means Donovan becomes second or third choice after the return of Johnston and his momentum disappears, then Celtic have potentially created a problem they didn’t need to create.

There is a middle ground.

Celtic don’t need to choose between experienced signings and youth.

They need to use both.

The attraction of Celtic isn’t the problem

There is another misconception that needs to be challenged here: that there simply aren’t enough good Scottish players who would actually choose Celtic.

I don’t believe that for a second.

John McGinn has spoken about how much he wanted to join Celtic. Andy Robertson has openly discussed his desire to play for the club. Lennon Miller grew up as a Celtic supporter, while Justin Devenny was reportedly desperate to make the move this summer (a Northern Irish international born in Scotland_.

These aren’t isolated examples.

They are evidence that Celtic’s ceiling and attraction remain incredibly high.

So perhaps we need to stop telling ourselves that the best Scottish players won’t come.

And we have to force ourselves to watch McCowan and Ralston.