Colby Donovan has made Martin O'Neill plan look silly after Celtic draw vs AC Milan - verdict
Colby Donovan's performance for Celtic in their 2-2 draw with AC Milan on Saturday will surely be enough to cement him as Alistair Johnston's understudy.
The 19-year-old starlet was handed the chance to start against the Italian giants as the Bhoys continued their pre-season preparations, and he caught the eye with a high-quality performance.
Martin O'Neill's men were held to a 2-2 draw at Celtic Park by their visitors, despite racing into a two-goal first-half lead through strikes from Camilo Duran and James Forrest.
Donovan lined up at right-back for the Glasgow giants and enjoyed a hugely promising afternoon playing up against some top-level players.
O'Neill is clearly a big fan of the starlet after he handed him plenty of chances to impress last season, and the boss will surely be pleased with him again after his display against Milan.
The full-back notched a game-leading 11 defensive contributions, and also ended the match with a 56 per cent success rate in the duels.
Colby Donovan has raised Anthony Ralston question
Johnston will inevitably return to being Celtic's first-choice right-back, as he looks to have put his injury woes firmly behind him after a strong World Cup for Canada.
The 27-year-old is arguably one of the best players in the Scottish Premiership, and the Bhoys are undoubtedly a better side when he is fit and firing.
However, they also need a capable understudy for the former Montreal man, and Donovan has proved yet again that he is ready for that role.
With that in mind, it raises the question as to why O'Neill is planning to sit down and speak with veteran Anthony Ralston over a new deal.
The Daily Record reported at the start of July that Celtic are planning to tie the 27-year-old down to a new contract, as his current deal expires in June 2027.
However, after Donovan's latest display, O'Neill's plan has been made to look silly, as the youngster is arguably already a stronger option than Ralston.
Celtic are working hard to strengthen their squad across the rest of the pitch, and handing a new contract to a player who would likely be third-choice in his position is not a shrewd financial decision at all.
Michael Nicholson in 'real trouble' at Celtic
Former Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness told Football Insider earlier this week that the position of chief executive Michael Nicholson is in "real trouble" at Celtic.
The boardroom man recently suggested that the Hoops' transfer difficulties this summer are largely down to issues with paying agents fees, something Wyness believes cannot be used as an "excuse."
The ex-Aberdeen chief believes that Nicholson could potentially be "sacrificed" by the board in the coming months, as he is right in the "crosshairs" of the fanbase at the moment.
Celtic supporters have vehemently protested against the club hierarchy in the last 12 months, and Nicholson has become the latest man to have heat on him.