Congratulations to Anthony Ralston who earned his 25th cap for the Scotland national side in Saturday night’s friendly defeat to Japan at Hampden…
Ralston is a much criticised figure in Scottish football for the national team and even among sections of the Celtic support in his club football, but one thing you can’t fault him for is the effort he gives every single time he pulls on the green and white hoops of Celtic ir the Dark blue of Scotland.
And a point that is often overlooked despite it being glaring obvious, is that Anthony Ralston does NOT pick the Celtic team or indeed the Scotland team and he’s had plenty of starts under the likes of Ronny Deila, Neil Lennon, Brendan Rodgers, Ange Postecoglou, Martin O’Neill, Steve Clarke and quite a few others.
Much has been made of the fact that Anthony Ralston who has never been a first choice pick at club level, indeed he is now deemed third choice at Celtic can somehow muster such a haul of caps at international level.
That I’m afraid is a damning indictment of the Scottish game in general, and it’s also worth noting that the likes of Grant Hanley, John Soutter, and Kenny McLean have mustered nigh on 150 caps between them, players who possess as much natural ability as Ralston in their respective positions.
Ralston however, seems to be the poster boy of mediocrity in the eyes of the Scottish supporters, with sadly some Celtic supporters even joining in on the mocking of one of our own.
I’ll admit that he isn’t in my opinion good enough to be a regular starter in a Celtic side so to win 25 international caps and to score a goal too for Scotland (I have a dream if dreams come true then Bonnie Scotland, I will play for you…_, but is that the fault of the Celtic squad player?
He might not be good enough to start for Celtic or even Scotland, but he’s not some competition winner, he’s a professional footballer in his own right, and his heart and desire as well as ability has seen him reach the level he has. In fact he has squeezed every ounce of success out of his career to date and is a decent man and an honest professional.
As I’ve said Ralston has played under a host of quality coaches in Brendan Rodgers, Ange Postecoglou and Martin O’Neill, winning numerous honours in his Celtic career.
He may not be the best right back in the world, but he’s contributed to massive success at Celtic and gives nothing less than one hundred percent each and every time he pulls on the green and white hoops, and the Dark blue of his country.
He’s more than earned his accolades, and deserves congratulations, not ridiculing. Well done Anthony, well done son!
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
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