Celtic star Colby Donovan is approaching life in the first team with a now-or-never attitude. The full-back is now a fully fledged first-teamer after seizing his opportunity this season.
Donovan has made 17 appearances already for Celtic this season having deputised for the injured Alistair Johnston, who is now going to remain out until after the next international break following a setback.
Donovan has largely been excellent, approaching games with an application we haven't seen consistently from the majority of his teammates. The 20-year-old hasn't been defensively perfect, but such is the life of a young player, yes, but also of an attacking full-back.
Even Kieran Tierney on the other side, with all of his experience, has given up a few goals through poor marking, which largely comes from finding himself too avanced.
Few have had complaints about Donovan, which is clearly a good sign for a young player who is trying to make his name as a senior player, and the club rewarded him with a five-year contract on Monday night.
That was a huge vote of confidence for the youngster, and he has been speaking about taking his opportunity in the first team, settling in as a youngster and how concentrating on what is to come.
“Probably at the start, because you see a lot of players come through at Celtic," he told Celtic Player.
“You know how hard it is to come through as a young player. Sometimes you'll get your opportunity and maybe it'll never happen again.
“It's just taking that chance and not looking back, and that's what I've been doing. I'm still doing that now.
“You're never guaranteed a place at Celtic. You need to thrive on it and you need competition. So every game I’m on, I just try and be the best I can and give the gaffer a chance to look at me.”
Donovan certainly deserves his new deal, which will surely come with first team terms, which is another key factor, along with the years of commitment from Celtic.
We won't know what Donovan's ceiling is, but at the very least, it looks as though the Bhoys have uncovered a solid right-back who can get forward and allow the club to play more progressive football.
That's a big win for the academy, and a big win for the club, who need more homegrown talents to hang their hat on.
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