COLBY DONOVAN has sparked a fresh Celtic injury scare after pulling out of the Scotland Under-21 squad.
The 19-year-old right-back has withdrawn from the international pool for the Euro qualifiers against the Czech Republic on Friday and Portugal four days later, according to a report in the Scottish Sun.
Donovan has been given the nod from Martin O’Neill to start the last two games against Motherwell and Dundee United after on-loan Julian Araujo returned to Bournemouth to undergo rehab for a problem.
The Hoops’ interim boss has admitted he does not know when the popular Mexico international will return as he prepares his players for the crucial run-in to the season.
GAME OVER…crestfallen Colby Donovan leaves the field at Tannadice on Sunday.
Donovan limped off in the 63rd minute of the 2-0 loss at Tannadice after colliding with trackside advertising boards.
Surprisingly, O’Neill overlooked Anthony Ralston as a direct replacement and sent on Luke McCowan.
Now Donovan could be another concern after the SFA announced he had been forced to withdraw from Scot Gemmill‘s group. They did not elaborate on the extent of the teenager’s injury.
The Hoops have been ravaged by fitness problems in a topsy-turvy campaign in which Filipe Jota has played no part and Cameron Carter-Vickers hasn’t figured since collapsing at the end of the 2-1 Europa League win over Sturm Graz at Parkhead in October.
Alistair Johnston’s season has also been interrupted by injury although O’Neill is hopeful the Canadian international will be fit to return against Dundee at Dens Park on Easter Sunday, as CQN reported earlier today.
There was also good news concerning midfielder Arne Engels who looks to be on the way back after missing the past nine games.
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