Anthony Ralston is the embodiment of Celtic’s changing fortunes. The Scottish full back spent almost the entirety of last season on the sidelines and received mixed reviews from his loan spells at Queen’s Park, Dundee United and St Johnstone in recent years. He was written off by all and sundry, but he has absolutely transformed his game to the point that he has earned light hearted comparisons to Cafu and Dani Alves!
Whilst those comparisons may be stretching things a bit far, on a more serious note, he has been absolutely magnificent of late. Defensively, he has been solid as a rock and at the other end he has scored two phenomenal goals, as well as putting some stunning crosses into the box.
At just 22 years of age, he is turning in performances that suggest he has a bright future ahead of him at the club. He evidently always had the ability, particularly given that he made the breakthrough at 17. However, he now has the confidence to go with it and we are seeing an exquisite player on the park as a result.
Ralston has shown immense mental resilience to rescue his Celtic career and has grasped an unlikely one year contract extension with both hands. A humble, hard working player, he is a very likeable character and it is great to see him succeed.
Last night, he put in his best performance in a Celtic shirt to date and was unlucky not to receive the man of the match award. He was always present to cut out danger, showed good bursts of pace, great stamina to continue steaming up the line in the late stages, and played a top class ball across the box for Edouard. In addition, he made a crucial defensive header, getting clattered for his troubles, and also made a sensational interception to maintain Celtic’s 2-0 lead.
The embedded footage (below) captures a moment in the game, which epitomises where Ralston is at just now. I urge readers to just watch him at right back throughout this video, don’t focus on the ball. You will notice how he spots the danger and sprints to get himself into position to make the block. Outstanding awareness, great desire, superb attitude and wonderful execution of the clearance.
Just watch Ralston at right back throughout this video, not the ball, outstanding how he sees the danger and sprints to get himself into a position to be able to make the block. https://t.co/6dc95QxlNG
— Liam Kelly (@cfcliamk96) August 18, 2021
A joy to watch.
