Si Ferry has praised young full-back Colby Donovan after the 19-year-old seized his opportunity in Celtic’s win over Kilmarnock.
With Alistair Johnston sidelined by a hamstring injury and Tony Ralston also unavailable, Brendan Rodgers turned to Donovan, who only weeks ago looked set for a loan spell at Dundee before the move was blocked due to the Hoops’ defensive shortage.
Donovan held his own at Rugby Park and even played a role in the decisive penalty, showing the positivity Ferry believes marks him out.
“I love it,” Ferry said on Open Goal. “For the penalty, other young kids would have passed it back. He’s a young boy but he’s so positive. When he played with the B Team I always really liked him. But again, he wasn’t one that you’d look at in the B Team and be like he was a stand-out. There are other kids there — they just need opportunities.
“He went on and done so well, I think he done really well yesterday.”
Ferry has seen a lot of the Celtic youngsters over the last few years. Before he was assistant manager at East Kilbride, he managed Broomhill in the Lowland League.
Donovan’s emergence comes at a time when Celtic’s depth has been stretched, with defensive injuries leaving Rodgers short of options. But his composed performance will give the manager confidence in trusting youth if required again.
Celtic have a few players out on loan in the Scottish Championship, getting consistent minutes at a decent level. Kyle Ure and Jude Bonnar have impressed fans, and with them getting game time with Scott Brown’s side, the hope is that they’ll come back better players and ready to challenge for some places in the first team squad.
