Anthony Ralston – He’s the best right back for Scotland and he’s Celtic through and through

The Celtic Star

·18 June 2022

Anthony Ralston – He’s the best right back for Scotland and he’s Celtic through and through

Tony Ralston has just had the kind of season dream are made of at Celtic – and also most recently at International level with Scotland.

For a player who looked destined for the exit door – and who appeared to have a contract extended initially by a year simply due to there being no other right back options at the club – Ralston grasped his opportunity with both hands, embraced the managers philosophy, earned a longer term contract, became a league winner with Celtic and has recently been a standout performer – and even scored – for Scotland, in a series of games where the international support needed something positive to cling too.

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Ralston’s incredible season would have been a surprise to the majority of the Celtic support, but Laurie Ellis – who coached Ralston when the player was on loan with Dundee United – was one man who was far from surprised, as he told Glasgow Live Ralston’s time with United showed he had the attitude an application to make his mark at Celtic.

15th December 2021; Victoria Park, Dingwall, Scotland, Scottish Premier league football, Ross County versus Celtic; Anthony Ralston of Celtic celebrates after he heads the winner for Celtic in the 97th minute making it 2-1 to Celtic

“Anthony had been on loan at Queen’s Park so he’d been out already. Physically, he was a really strong young man. We knew he’d come through his early experience very well and he’s always been well regarded at Parkhead.

“We knew he was a fantastic trainer with a fantastic attitude. He’d proven himself a fantastic young prospect and we were delighted to get him at Dundee United. He’d had a bit of profile with his performances before his loan move to United. He had very good experiences as a young man moving into the starting XI at Celtic.

“He had a few high profile moments and that’s an amazing thing to go through as a young player. He fell down the pecking order slightly then and we were delighted to get a player with first team experience at Parkhead. From his point of view, it was a key loan deal for him. He had to prove his worth and the player he could be in another team and another system.

“That gave him a better chance of forcing his way into the plans at Parkhead. Dundee United is a big club and coming on loan from a club like Celtic means there’s an expectation you are going to make the team better every week. There was professional pressure on him which is a good, healthy pressure for a young man and one that definitely helped his development”

Ellis believes Ralston’s breakthrough season is down to Ralston’s hard work, alongside a belief in his own abilities, and he believes there will be admiring glances coming from other clubs now Ralston has cut it at club level and at international level, although Ellis is certainly not punting Ralston for a transfer out of Celtic Park, instead he recognises Ralston will be more than happy where he is –

“It’s testament to his character and testament to his ability that he’s coped with the ups and down of football.

“I have listened to a few of Ange Postecoglou’s comments about Anthony and he says it’s all down to Tony. You have to earn that opportunity and he has done that. It’s not happened by chance.

“His attitude and temperament, they are all things Anthony Ralston has put together and Ange Postecoglou really likes it.

“I’m delighted for him. I really enjoyed working with him and he’s forging a great career for himself. He’s an excellent young man. It’s great to see all his hard work and dedication has paid off.

“It can’t be easy to force your way into a starting XI at Celtic. It’s no surprise to me even if it might surprise others, as I know how hard he works.

“He has signed his new long-term deal and is obviously happy to continue his development at Celtic. He wouldn’t have signed that deal thinking about other things.

“If he keeps playing like he is and stepping up to the international stage and performing, interest in Tony will continue to grow every week. I don’t know what his plans are but I imagine he’s very happy where he is.”

DUNDEE, SCOTLAND – MAY 11: Anthony Ralston of Celtic is challenged by Dylan Levitt of Dundee United during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Dundee United and Celtic at Tannadice Park on May 11, 2022 in Dundee, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Ralston’s performances for Celtic have been first class any time he’s been called upon, but his influence as someone who has made the grade at Celtic after coming through the ranks – and having to deals with the slings and arrows along the way – should also be an example for any youngster sitting on the fringes of the Celtic first team who wonders if they’ll ever make the grade.

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And now after a first Scotland goal against Armenia and one of the few better performers for Scotland in the Dublin debacle that followed, Ralston will no doubt believe a regular international slot is well within his reach.

Nathan Patterson, when fit, appears to be Steve Clarke’s first choice at right back. Yet since leaving theRangers for Everton the youngster already appears on the outside looking in when it comes to convincing Toffee’s boss Frank Lampard, and with Clarke admitting he intends to spend the time over the summer poring over Scotland’s drop off in form, Ralston has put himself in a position where the hard work and application Laurie Ellis was so impressed by at Dundee United, can now result in a regular starting spot for both club and country.

Had you predicted any of this a year ago for Tony Ralston you would have been laughed at, indeed Tony Ralston may have joined in your ridiculing. However, a bit of overdue luck, opportunity and no little endeavour, has seen Tony Ralston go from heading through the exit door to taking centre stage for club and country. What a difference a year makes!

Niall J

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