Josip Juranovic is unlikely to be involved at Dingwall on Sunday so that should open the door for Anthony Ralston to start thus bringing back the most painful of memories for the Highlanders as they are reminded of that Tom Rogic cross deep into stoppage time last December and The Celtic right back rising above their huge defenders to head home a winner for the ten men of Celtic.
Down at Ibrox the final result was prematurely flashed on the big screens and the Daily Mail suffered the extreme embarrassment of publishing a match report for the 1-1 draw between Ross County and Celtic in a match where the fat lady hadn’t started her song.
It was Anthony Ralston who had the last laugh and there were hundreds of thousands of roars all over world as Celtic fans watching on their televisions jumped from their chairs to celebrate what even then looked like one of the most significant goals in the Scottish Premiership this season.
“It was a bit mental, to say the least. That moment is something I might never do again, but the main thing was that we got the three points which is always difficult when you go there,” Ralston told Celtic TV earlier this week. “On a personal note, it was a dream to score a late winner and you saw how the fans reacted, so I have great memories.
“It’s something growing up that you’ve watched and you think it could be you someday but you never expect it to happen.
“Tom Rogic hung up a great cross and I’ve found myself in a position to put it in and it was carnage after that, but it’s a great memory that will live with me forever.”
🗣️ “I found myself in the position and was able to just put it in and, you know, it was carnage after that.”
Anthony Ralston reflects on 𝙏𝙃𝘼𝙏 late winner in Dingwall ahead of this weekend’s trip up north in our exclusive interview!#Ralston | #COYBIG | @CelticFC pic.twitter.com/24nuhkAK7J
— Celtic TV (@CelticTV) April 21, 2022
Under Ange Postecoglou Ralston is a Celtic player reborn. Brendan Rodgers was happy to include Ralston in his Celtic line-ups but not so Neil Lennon and few if any expected the remarkable turn around in his fortunes at the club this season, thanks to the vision, judgement and belief shown by Ange Postecoglou in Ralston and also incidentally in Greg Taylor.
“I’ve spoken about it that last season wasn’t the easiest of times,” Ralsoto admitted, “but this season I’ve been given the opportunity and so far to have taken it I’m delighted. It’s important to continue that, not just to the end of the season but in seasons to come.”
The disappointing outcome at Hampden last weekend is acknowledged but also has been put to bed. “We’re extremely disappointed with the last game but it’s done now and it’s important that we focus on the next game,” Ralston said. And that away game is the return to Ross County for the chance to inflict the first home defeat on the Highlanders since that header deep into stoppage time broke their hearts back in December.
“These away fixtures are always tough and we know Ross County are a physical team and we will need to match that and their competitiveness,” Ralston warned. “We also need to focus on our style of play and how we want to implement that and we do then we will be fine but we know that will be tough.”
