The full-back has been asked to deputise for injured Alistair Johnston and has gone from strength to strength and made the position his own.

Even in defeats at times, Martin O'Neill has hailed the 20-year-old as a "warrior" for his team. Now he has penned a deal until 2031.

And the manager was beaming to see the young defender commit his future to Celtic at Parkhead.

“Colby extending his contract with the club is fantastic news for us. Although still a very young player, he has shown such maturity, strength and resilience. In fact, he has been exceptional for us," he told Celtic Player.

“He has come in when we needed him, given everything for our cause and shown what a quality player he is. “He is a young man with a tremendous attitude and with a recent international call-up as well, he has had a phenomenal few months.

“I know the love Colby has for the club and I know what signing this deal means to him and his family.

“I am sure that he will continue to progress and enjoy a very big future in the game, and I am so pleased that he sees his long-term future at Celtic.”

And a delighted Colby Donovan added: “I'm over the moon. As a young boy coming through at Celtic, you thrive to be a first-team player, and to think where I am now and where I was a year ago today, it's been a rollercoaster.

“I've loved every single minute, but it doesn't stop now. I'm just going to keep kicking on.

“You've got to have that belief as a young player coming through here at Celtic. You see all the signings that they bring in and it's a top club they expect to win every single week.

“So as a young player, it's tough, but you always need to believe, and I know for certain when I was a kid, I knew I could come through and do it.”

“All the Academy boys that have come through have been brilliant. You see Callum and James, KT and Raldo. They've all been great servants of this club.

“I love taking bits out of their game. I was a young boy and I used to watch them, growing up, and now I'm playing alongside them and I'm good mates for them. It's just a dream come true.”