Colby Donovan has revealed which Celtic teammate was the first to hear about his new contract and why the defender has been such an important influence on him since his academy days.

The 20-year-old signed a deal on Monday keeping him at Celtic until 2031, having made 17 appearances this season and earned his first senior Scotland call-up.

Colby Donovan reveals Kieran Tierney’s influence at Celtic

Kieran Tierney was the first player Donovan told about his new contract. The pair share the same agency, and Donovan phoned the Scotland defender after speaking to his agent.

Speaking to the Glasgow Times, Donovan said: “He was a big role model for the boys in the academy when I was younger growing up.

“Now I’m playing with him and I’m a good mate with him as well, so it’s mad. But there’s no better person to look up to than KT. I’m loving learning from him every day and he’s at the top of his game.”

Donovan explained what he admired most about Tierney when he was trying to make his way through Celtic’s youth system.

He said: “When I was younger, it was just his determination to give everything for the badge, so that’s what I see in his game even now as well, he gives everything for the club.

“So that’s what I try to put into my game. You might not be having the best of days but you just need to give everything for the club and for the boys, don’t you?”

Donovan remembers Tierney’s visits to Celtic’s academy

Donovan even has an old photograph with Tierney from his days in the academy.

He said: “I remember I actually got a photo of KT, I’ll need to find it somewhere, but I was telling him about that the other day.”

Tierney wasn’t the only first-team player who made an impression on him. Callum McGregor and James Forrest also visited Barrowfield to speak to the youngsters, giving Donovan an opportunity to meet players who had already made the breakthrough he was desperate to achieve.

Donovan now hopes the next generation of Celtic academy players will look at his progress in the same way.

He said: “When you see them doing it and, obviously I’m doing all right for myself just now, I just hope the academy players are looking up to me as well.”

The youngster is expected to be available for Wednesday night’s match against Dundee United despite going off during Sunday’s win over Hibs.

With Alistair Johnston suffering another hamstring setback, Donovan could be in line for another start at right-back as Celtic look to maintain their position at the top of the Premiership.