AMID the turmoil of the startling fall-out at Ibrox and the attempt to restore pride tomorrow night against Ferencvaros, Martin O’Neill took time to applaud Colby Donovan.
And the Irishman, 74, also reflected on the achievements of club great Danny McGrain after the announcement of his Alzheimer’s diagnosis, as CQN reported yesterday.
Coincidentally, right-back is the preferred position of both players, past and present, and 20-year-old Donovan, one of the rare Celts to get passmarks following the Govan debacle, has just received a call-up to the Scotland international squad.
McGrain, of course, became a mainstay at this level, won 63 caps and was involved in two World Cup Finals in West Germany in 1974 and Spain in 1982.
CRUNCH…Colby Donovan shows his determination as he tussles for the ball at Ibrox.
Injury kept him out of Ally MacLeod’s squad for the ill-fated adventure in Argentina in 1978.
As Scotland prepare to embark on their Nations Cup quest with Group E encounters coming up against Slovenia, Switzerland and North Macedonia, new head coach Sebastien Pocognoli has recognised the form of Donovan and given him the nod for his first senior Scotland call-up.
O’Neill said: “I am delighted for him, absolutely delighted. He’s got a massive heart. There are obviously parts of his game that he can tidy up, which he is willing to do.
“He’s a great character, too. He never seems to be down at all and always has that proverbial smile on his face.
“Coming in to training, Colby wants to work hard, he wants to learn, and this is great for him, really great.
“Genuinely, it’s the icing on the cake, isn’t it? And with Scotland qualifying now for competitions, it would be great to be involved with that.
“But it’s a big lift and that will also give him a big boost of confidence.”
CLASS ACT…Danny McGrain fires over a cross from the right.
O’Neill’s Northern Ireland international career coincided with McGrain’s with Scotland and, reacting to yesterday’s sad news he paid a tribute the 76-year-old Hoops icon.
The veteran coach, speaking to CelticPlayer, added: “Danny was not only a fantastic Celtic player, but he was a great player and the captain of Scotland.
“I remember, before the World Cup in 1982, Danny, Kevin Keegan and myself were all photographed together.
“Danny was here working with the reserves when I came here in my first spell. He was just a phenomenal footballer and a really great character.”
In the meantime, O’Neill’s focus is on tomorrow night’s Europa League opener against Ferencvaros at Parkhead before the second of the derby double-header – and the opportunity for swift redemption – at thee same venue on Sunday.
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