Colby Donovan has expressed his pride at helping Celtic take a significant step towards the league phase of the Champions League.
The 19-year-old, who played at right-back, was an integral part of the team that beat LASK 3-0 in the first leg of their Champions League play-off qualifier.
The victory sees the Scottish champions hoping to avoid a repeat of last season’s defeat to Kairat Almaty at the same stage of the competition.
Donovan, who grew up watching Celtic’s European matches with his dad, said: "The crowd was amazing. It is something we’ve not heard in a year, and that’s what we try to be every year; we’re trying to be in the Champions League.
"To hear that again from the fans, it gave us a buzz. We need to do it this time."
The young footballer expressed his honour at playing for Celtic in the Champions League, saying that it was his aspiration to be on such a grand stage.
He also highlighted how his family, including his mum, dad, girlfriend, and her family, were all present to witness his significant moment for the club. Donovan said: "They’ve seen their boy come through and play for Celtic.
"My dad’s a big Celtic fan so seeing me on the park is something special."
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Donovan’s favourite European memory from the stands was Callum McGregor’s goal in Celtic’s 2-1 defeat to Bayern Munich, when the youngster was just 10.
He said: "To see big teams come to Celtic Park and to give them a real go, as a Celtic fan, it gives you pride that your team can handle it in the top league."
Donovan has stepped in for injured Alistair Johnston, who is sidelined with a hamstring problem, and insisted he feels no nerves about playing on the biggest stage. He said: "It’s different when you’re playing in it.
"You can’t think about the crowd, and you can’t think about it as a fan; you need to think about it as a player. I feel comfortable in every game I go into. I don’t really have any fear, to be honest.
"Going into a big game, it’s where I want to be. I want to play at the highest level. Going into the Champions League, I just need to play the same way I play in the SPFL and all the games I’ve played in so far.
"No nerves at all."
On Johnston’s absence, he added: "Me and Ali are quite tight. For that to happen to him, you don’t want any of your players to get injured. He’s such a big player for us. It’s a big miss.
"But somebody’s got to step into his boots."
