One of the things that might have gone unnoticed due to the irritating result at Easter Road this past weekend is how well Anthony Ralston played when he replaced Alistair Johnston. The Canadian had to be removed from the action when he suffered a head knock on the pitch, as a result of the challenge by Hibs defender Rocky Bushiri.
The right-back was replaced by his Scottish comrade Ralston, who had to come on and ensure the energy levels and all-round physicality that the former CF Montreal brings to proceedings remained intact. Well Tony certainly did just that and he linked up tremendously well with his teammates and in particular, fellow countryman, James Forrest.
Ralston has previous for having great games in Edinburgh against Hibs and it looked like for a spell that he would continue that tradition and set up a goal or maybe even score, like he’s did in the past. It wasn’t to be though, as Hibs dug in really well and by the time Rodgers had made the subs to freshen things up and speed up the intensity of the play, it was too late. Hibs had camped in by that point and we couldn’t beat the clock as we left exasperated at full-time.
Ralston was certainly one of the brighter sparks and reminded everyone that he is an able deputy in the absence of Alistair Johnston. The academy graduate was an essential cog in the machine that Ange Postecoglou built in his first season in charge of the Hoops, and he was able to perform the inverted full-back role well enough for the Aussie to play him consistently. He won his first Scotland cap during that spell and was integral to us capturing back our title.
He’s been displaced as first-choice right-back by World Cup star, Johnston, but his cameo at Easter Road proved that he still has what it takes to perform for Celtic when called upon after a considerable spell away from the side.
Paul Gillespie
Matt Corr’s new book Majic, Stan and the King of Japan is out now and Neil Lennon, the Celtic captain that season, has written the foreword for us.
You can get a signed copy of the hardback version direct from Celtic Star Books by clicking on the image below. It’s also available an an e-book via Amazon Kindle and please note that all colour photographs that appear in the beautifully presented printed hardback book are also available in the Kindle version of Majic, Stan and the King of Japan…
Why do you imply Johnston was taken out by a challenge from the Hibs defender?Dis you even watch the incident?