Colby Donovan regularly spots his friends in Celtic’s Bhoys section while playing at Parkhead.
The 19-year-old has progressed from supporter and ball boy to a first-team option for manager Martin O’Neill. He replaced the injured Alistair Johnston at right-back in Wednesday’s 3-0 Champions League play-off first-leg win over LASK.
Donovan said his friends remain visible from the stands, despite his change in role. He said: “I look up after the games and I see my family. But sometimes in the games, most of my pals are in the Bhoys and all that. So I look up, and I always see them.
"I’m loving it man, I’m loving it.”
The academy graduate was among Celtic supporters at Fir Park in May when Kelechi Iheanacho scored a 97th-minute penalty to secure a 3-2 win over Motherwell.
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Donovan was not in the matchday squad, but later footage showed him on the pitch celebrating with supporters after the goal.
He also recalled his time as a ball boy at Celtic Park. Donovan said: “I ball boyed a few times, to be fair. I remember the one game, it was St Mirren at home. Celtic scored and I was up running like a daft man!”
Donovan added: “I was on the park at Motherwell away as well!”
The defender has now moved from the stands to the pitch and is taking his chance with Celtic’s first team.
