Celtic are reportedly ready to give the green light to a summer departure for a player who is highly respected behind the scenes at Lennox Town.
Celtic preparing for major summer rebuild, including new manager
Chaos defined Celtic’s 2025/26 season from the start.
Brendan Rodgers was shown the door in October and Wilfried Nancy arrived and lasted all of 33 days. Martin O’Neill, 74, has been called up twice to steady the ship and has done a fantastic job of keeping Celtic in title contention.
But even his heroics may not be enough to prevent the club from relinquishing the Championship, which they have held for the best part of the past decade and a half, given they are five points behind Hearts with seven games remaining and the 2-0 defeat at Dundee United is still fresh in their minds.
What is already clear is that the summer will bring about the most comprehensive transformation for Parkhead in years.
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Celtic’s midfield really needs reinforcements ahead of the summer.
There’s a new manager, a new chairman, a new director of football and the team could be very different come August.
O’Neal will vacate the dugout when his interim manager’s contract expires, but some believe he deserves the chance to be asked if he wants to stay.
Robbie Keane has emerged as the front-runner to replace him, with the former Celtic loanee impressing as manager at Ferencvaros and Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Motherwell’s Jens Berthel Askou is also said to be in the conversation, with several other names being floated.
On the playing front, signing a new No. 9 shirt appears to be a top priority this summer.
Frosinone’s Fares Gegemis, Motherwell’s Elijah Just and Hibs midfielder Miguel Chaihua are also reportedly being monitored ahead of a major rebuild.
Amidst that complexity has come a decision that reveals much about how Celtic are thinking about the right-back position ahead of next season.
Celtic prepare to give Colby Donovan the green light to leave in the summer
In fact, Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke says Celtic are prepared to give the green light for teenager Colby Donovan to end his loan this summer.
The 19-year-old has made a huge impression since making his senior debut against Livingston on August 23, making 26 appearances in all competitions and registering four assists in what has been a breakthrough campaign.
He was forced off after an hour in the defeat to Dundee United with an apparent injury, but will be closely monitored during the international break.
The young Scot is “highly valued” behind the scenes at Celtic and his long-term future at Parkhead is part of the club’s thinking.
However, the club is currently carefully considering whether to stay next season or go out on loan, which will help his future.
Key factors include Alistair Johnston’s return from injury, Julian Araujo’s potential permanent transfer and the broader question of what Anthony Ralston’s role will be under the new manager.
With competition for the right-back spot likely to intensify significantly, Celtic may conclude that regular first-team appearances elsewhere would more effectively accelerate Donovan’s development than a season of rotating teams at Celtic Park.
Importantly, there is no need to rush any loan.
Donovan is expected to be given every opportunity to make his case during the preseason, as a new coach is brought in to bring fresh eyes to the entire team.
Regardless of the title result, his summer at Celtic will be important.
For Donovan, it could be the moment when his career takes the next step, whether in the green and white or elsewhere.
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He has been in great form on loan this season.
