Anthony Ralston has notched up five goals and seven assists from right back this term – stunning statistics for a man who has found himself on the bench a lot recently.
He has pace, desire and urgency in abundance. But he also has an outstanding ability to overlap the winger, enabling him to get in behind a packed defence and supply a low cross or cut back. This was something which I felt could be absolutely key against Livingston – a team who usually sit deep and look to frustrate Celtic – and I wrote as much in an article before the game.
Certainly, getting behind the defence to create a cut back was an element of our play which had been lacking prior to our trip to Almondvale and was particularly non existent on the left hand side against St Mirren.
Ralston is our most attacking full back. He may not have the same talent as Juranovic, though he is arguably more consistent, but he is more of a threat going forward. For Celtic in the SPFL, this is probably more important for a player in that position, as they are up against few attacks.
The Scotsman overlapped the winger in the first half and won a corner, albeit dubiously, which led to our first goal. It was then Ralston’s dangerous cross which was turned into the back of the net by the Livingston defender – an assist in all but name.
These moments highlighted his importance to the team. And while Juranovic is our most talented full back, Ralston is our most attacking one. Therefore, I’d accomodate both at the expense of Greg Taylor… even for the sake of penalties!
Yet, as ever, I trust Ange to make the judgement better than me. This is merely an opinion piece.
I think the chat around Ralston, Taylor, Juranovic (and others) is far too simplistic.
To say Ralston is now “undroppable” is silly. Yet I often hear it.
It’s all about options in the team, and the team you are playing against.
Ralston has been great this season. But in specific circumstances, where both the opposition and our style requires.
For example. As said in the article above, Ralston is great at the overlap and getting the ball in. Perfect for playing Livi.
However, this is not the Ange style for many other teams. Ange often requires inverting fullbacks, passing and constant movement. JJ is perfectly suited to this. He has the mindset to play this style. Ralston, not so much. Possibly just lacking the tactical mindset to pull pff the pack passes, as opposed to hitting the byline and sending in a cross.
But again, it’s down to what is required against the team you are playing, and options to play either style either.
Taylor is the exact same on the Left.
People love to sh*t all over him, but he quite suits the inverting full back style Ange usually wants better than most. He’s not a marauding fullback, going to hit the byline. But is more technically adept to the Ange style of inverting. Yes, we can always upgrade, but the constant pile-on is deeply unfair.
Everything has its pros and cons. The reason Forrest played ahead of Ralston on the right aginst livi was they complimented each other better. Abada on the right is nullified with Ralston trying to overlap. They try to occupy the same space. Where as JJ compliments Abada.
Again, it’s all about options. And it is great that we not only have cover on the right, but can change our approach and tactics according to the oppositions team’s strength.
What a great in depth reply you know your football are you sure your not ange in disguise
Agree with pretty much all of that. Thanks for the reply. I feel that lately teams have sat deep against us and there’s been little room for the inverted full backs, so Ralston is that perfect option for getting round the back and cutting the ball back or drilling a low cross. I think we are stronger in general with Juranovic left back and Ralston right back, as Juranovic can do the same as Taylor but he is more talented. Whilst Ralston offers a different energy and attacking threat. Can change depending on opposition though as you say, and Forrest complements Ralston well as he tends to cut inside a lot, which leaves space for Ralston to go outside