Watching Tony Ralston, putting on a show

How many of you were cheering a Scotland goal like one scored by Celtic last night? Anthony Ralston proved all his doubters wrong at club level after having to wait for his opportunity at Celtic, dropping out of the first team plans after Brendan Rodgers left for Leicester City.

It’s fair to say that Neil Lennon just didn’t fancy him as a player and even when it was clear the season before last that Celtic defensively were being exposed at right back throughout that campaign Ralston was given just the one game, post Dubai when he set up a great chance for Armstrong Oxo-Flex to grab a winner. His reward was to head back into obscurity and Neil Lennon must be embarrassed at the way he treated Ralston. Indeed quite a few Celtic fans – some of whom have had the decency to post their apologies to the player – agreed with Lennon.

Armstrong Oxo-Flex can’t believe he missed a tap-in after an outstanding delivery from Anthony Ralston in his one and only start for Celtic under Neil Lennon. Photo: Andrew Milligan

When The Celtic Star published an article in early December 2020 urging Lennon to play Ralston at right back to give much needed defensive cover for the struggling Shane Duffy – who was being continually exposed by players like Frimpong being continually out of position, we were ridiculed, ’embarrassing’ was the message.

We even suggested a starting eleven for Neil Lennon that could have turned things around and it’s interesting looking back on this advice which of course was completely ignored.

The team we suggested was, after pointing out that we had urged Lennon to sign David Marshall on a free transfer earlier in the season, notice no loan players involved, this from 4 December 2020 when the Ten could still have been saved. It’s actually quite annoying looking back at this suggested team selection for a home match against St Johnstone which ended 1-1.

Hazard

Ralston Jullien Ajer Taylor

Brown Bitton

Frimpong Rogic McGregor

Edouard

Ralston still gets called a brickie by fans, now it’s a term of endearment, before it was an insult. He looked to be heading for the exit door ahead of Ange Postecoglou arriving and as Ralston was the only right back at the club a decision was made to give him a year exemption on the contract that was otherwise running out.

Since then Ralston has never looked back for Celtic and throughout last season won over the entire Celtic support.

Last midweek Scotland played perhaps the most important match of this century at Hampden against Ukraine and Steve Clarke became the latest football manager to embarrass himself by overlooking Anthony Ralston in favour of another rookie, Aaron Hickey who is primarily a left back. The folly of that decision was there for all to see last night when Ralston started against Armenia as the UEFA Nations League campaign got underway.

Ralston set up his old Celtic teammate Stuart Armstrong in the opening minutes for what could have been a sensational opener but the Southampton midfielder’s effort hit the post. But Ralston wasn’t to be denied and after incessant Scotland pressure had failed to breach the Armenian defence, Armstrong became the provider for Ralston and the Celtic right back headed home from a tight angle to give Scotland the lead.

The cheer in our house was like a Celtic goal, and it was in a way. The delight was for the incredible journey that Anthony Ralston has been on since Ange has been around. Hickey and Patterson both came on with a quarter of an hour to go as The Brickie departed, having already done enough to win Man of the Match and surely settle the debate as who is Scotland’s first pick right back. For Steve Clarke the realisation came a week too late.

Afterwards a delighted Tony Ralston spoke to Premier Sports about a night he will never forget.

“My daughter wasn’t at the game, but it’s something that I’ll be able to show her in the years to come. She’ll be able to see her dad scoring for her country, which is quite special.

“It’s for a sure a nice moment to look forward to. It’s a proud moment. It’s something that will live me forever and it’s not something I really expected, to be quite honest.

“But it’s something I’ve enjoyed every minute and I hope there will be more to come. There’s been a lot tonight and I’m trying to take it all in. I’m sure it will settle in eventually. But it’s a proud moment for myself, representing my country tonight.

“The gaffer let me know I was starting during one of the training sessions and I was able to get my head right and be ready to go into the game.”

Looking back on those dark days on the outside looking in at Celtic as his contract was running out and there seemed little chance of him making it at the club he’s supported all his life, Ralston reflects on his never say die attitude that stood him in good stead for his unlikely comeback.

“I’ve worked hard. I wasn’t involved at Celtic, it’s no secret it was a hard time for me. But I kept myself right, I kept training hard, I kept believing. I’m happy I’ve done that, I gave myself the best chance and that’s all I could do. I was in a situation where I didn’t know what was happening. My contract was coming to an end.

“But I just kept believing in myself. I kept on working hard and I managed to get myself back in and just take my opportunities when I got them.”

Ralston was asked if anyone other than himself could see the incredible turn-around in his fortunes as a footballer coming back in the summer of 2020.

“I’m sure my mates said it for a laugh at some stage. But you know, this is football and you just need to keep yourself positive at all times, keep working and that’s what I’ll continue to do for the rest of my career.”

“It’s a team filled with a lot of talent. They are all very hard working boys as well and we are all in a good place and ready to go for the next game now. I have worked hard to get my opportunity, so when I got it I was going to make sure I took it.”

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About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

1 Comment

  1. Rabbie Burns on

    agreed 100% – still a young player & a great attitude, hopefully he can improve even more & be good enough for CL etc .. I always think he brings more to the table in terms of assists & threat than JJ as a better final ball