Anthony Ralston has a big Celtic opportunity when he returns from injury

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The right-back battle between Jeremy Toljan and Mikael Lustig has been intriguing, but it’s Anthony Ralston who could make it his own.

The Celtic youngster is still sidelined with ligament damage suffered back in January. It doesn’t seem as though he’ll be back in the near future either, with no update as of yet regarding improvements.

As Celtic hit the tail-end of the season, any return for Ralston would likely be as back-up. But at this stage, he simply has to be eyeing pre-season as an opportune time to strike.

As it stands, he’s the only right-back who’ll be here next season. Toljan will return to parent club Borussia Dortmund. Cristian Gamboa and Lustig, meanwhile, are out of contract. That’s three right-backs gone in one summer.

If Ralston can get on that road to recovery and be back for pre-season, he will be the only one in his position – dependent on whether Celtic move quick to get another in.

Tremendous promise in Ralston

Added to that, he’s continuously showed terrific promise during his stints in the first-team this season. Under Brendan Rodgers, Ralston was flying over the winter. He featured on four occasions, and even scored against Motherwell with a fine overlapping run.

At the very least, Lustig could sign a new contract and be battling Ralston. But the young Scot has to fancy his chances against the ageing Swede.

Lustig is nowhere near the player he was seven years ago. If Ralston can get himself fit and keep improving, he has all the attributes to shoot above the veteran as first-choice.

The only thing that’s stopped Ralston from already seizing the spot are his injury woes. It’s been a problem that’s plagued him throughout the early stages of his Celtic career. Just when you think the right-back is fit and ready, he goes and picks up another knock.

But it’s all there on a plate for Ralston. Unless Celtic seriously invest properly in the position in the summer, the spot is his to grab….if he could only stay injury free.