Celtic don’t need an Alistair Johnston replacement, Colby deserves the opportunity
· Yahoo Sports
After the news that Alistair Johnston is facing three months on the sidelines, it has been reported that Celtic is on the look out for a new recruit to plug the right back gap…
Young Colby Donovan could well be the answer, and the fact that he’s been instantly overlooked by some is highly disrespectful to the 19 year old homegrown talent.
Colby Donovan of Celtic is challenged by George Bello of LASK during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 play-offs first leg match between Celtic and LASK at Celtic Park on August 19, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
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Yes losing AJ for another extended period is a serious blow but couldn’t the answer to that problem be staring us right in the face? Even more so when you consider the terrific performance Colby put in during the midweek 3-0 champions league play off win over LASK.
Ian Maxwell, CEO of the Scottish Football Association, and Sebastien Pocognoli, Head Coach of Scotland, look on in the stands during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 play-offs first leg match between Celtic and LASK at Celtic Park on August 19, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
New Scotland manager Sebastien Pocognoli was present in Paradise, and with Callum McGregor now retired from international duty, Kieran Tierney and Colby Donovan were the only players on the pitch eligible to play for the national side, and the Belgian would have been mightily impressed with the Irvine born full back’s performance.
9th August 2026; Rugby Park, Scottish Premiership Kilmarnock versus Celtic; Alistair Johnston of Celtic on the ball. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou
The newly announced national manager will be keen to see more of Colby in action, and will be hoping Martin O’Neill gives him more regular first team chances, especially with the news of first choice right back Alistair Johnston’s latest spell on the treatment table.
The youngster fully deserves that chance, he’s a talented player, who desperately needs a run of regular games to fulfil his undoubted potential, and now is the perfect opportunity to do so.
9th August 2026; Rugby Park, Scottish Premiership Kilmarnock versus Celtic; Anthony Ralston of Celtic. Photo by Vagelis Georgarious.
We also have the reliable Tony Ralston as cover, and if a move for Niko Sigur comes to fruition, then we will have even more choices as the Canadian international is capable of playing in the right back berth.
So instead of wasting resources on a temporary replacement for AJ, it makes perfect sense to promote from within.
Indeed if he performs well, Colby may well be the long term replacement for the Canadian international who is the target of numerous clubs down south. Indeed had his troublesome hamstring issue not reared its head at Rugby Park Johnston would most probably have been an Everton player by now.
Whether a move will now happen in January remains to be seen but you would have to think that any medical he’ll have to go through will be extremely thorough as any potential suitor will be well aware of the three extensive lay-offs he’s had over the past year or so.
That could frustrate any future move and mean that Alistair Johnston remains at Celtic for long enough to establish that this recurring injury nightmare is behind him. That’s another reason why we don’t want to be overloaded with four right backs in the first team squad.
Martin O’Neill, Manager of Celtic interacts with Sebastian Tounekti during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 play-offs first leg match between Celtic and LASK at Celtic Park on August 19, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Ultimately though Martin O’Neill will decide and of course he’ll get the full backing of the support as will any incoming signing.
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