Kris Commons reckons that Anthony Ralston is currently the best right back in Scotland and his performances this season should merit an international call-up from Scotland manager Steve Clarke. And there are many other Celtic positives mentioned in the former Celt’s newspaper column this morning.
Rather unusually for Commons, who usually sneers at his old club when commenting in his Daily Mail column, today he is gushing as the Ange-ball style of play has even started to win over the former players, now pundits. Maybe we’ll read something similar from Charlie Nicholas in the Daily Express tomorrow and Andy Walker might even pop up on Sky Sports to talk up Celtic supersonic football…
Anthony Ralston and David Turnbull celebrate. Photo by MB Media
“Tom Rogic and Anthony Ralston look like two new signings. Ralston, in particular, is a great example of the way a coach can develop a player and help them improve,” Commons noted. “The vast majority of Celtic fans probably wouldn’t have wanted him anywhere near the first team this season because, quite simply, they didn’t think he was good enough. But his performances over the past month have definitely silenced a lot of critics. It takes a lot of courage and mental strength to fight your way back like Ralston has.
“On current form, he’s the best right-back in the country and should be in Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad this week for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
“Then you’ve got David Turnbull who, although he was still playing well enough last season, looks to have taken his game on to a whole new level under the Celtic boss.
Ange Postecoglou waves to the fans as he arrives at the stadium. Photo: Steve Welsh
And Ange’s own performance as Celtic manager already is reminding Commons of Brendan Rodgers, although The Celtic Star has been calling him the Australian Stein, an even bigger compliment. “One of the first things I remember Rodgers saying to us when he took over at Celtic was that he wanted to be relentless. He wanted to beat a team 10-0.
“It’s something which has always stuck in my head. He wanted a 10-0 victory. At this rate, you wouldn’t put it past Celtic doing exactly that at some point in the near future.
“They are absolutely battering teams just now. In the space of a fortnight, they’ve won 6-0 twice in the league against Dundee and St Mirren.
Celtic v AZ Alkmaar – Liel Abada and Kyogo Furuhashi celebrate. Photo: Andrew Milligan
“Kyogo Furuhashi has been the poster boy thus far for what fans are now calling ‘Ange-ball’. The little Japanese striker has been a revelation with his pace, movement and finishing ability.
“Moussa Dembele’s best season at Celtic saw him net 32 goals in all competitions. Odsonne Edouard’s most prolific season brought 29 goals. Yet, if he stays fit, Kyogo will comfortably surpass both of those totals. Leigh Griffiths’ tally of 40 goals in 2015-16 could even be a realistic target. Because make no mistake, Kyogo is a natural in front of goal. He will terrorise defences this season with his electric pace and movement.
“Liel Abada is another of Postecoglou’s signings who has hit the ground running, but you also have to admire the way the manager has reinvigorated players who were already at the club.”
It’s worth mentioning, given his 10-0 story about Rodgers, that Celtic were 5-0 up against theRangers on the day we won 8IAR and had half an hour to play inconceivably took our foot off the gas. What a chance that was to get at least 7 and maybe even the ten that Rodgers wanted so much.