No one has benefited more from the new manager’s arrival at Celtic more than Anthony Ralston.
The academy graduate has received a lot of criticism over the years after slow progress under Brendan Rodgers and Neil Lennon.
Now though, supporters are starting to see his strengths and appreciate his performances for the team.
The right-back is thriving in difficult circumstances this season, with no real competition for his position. That’s created a heavy workload, but under Ange Postecoglou he’s only getting better and better in a short period of time.
Addressing the improvement of his performances and indeed the squad’s, Ralston told the official website ahead of tomorrow’s match against Hearts: “It’s a chance for us to put things right and that’s what we’ll be striving to do today, but it’s important that we strive to win every competition that we’re in because that’s always at the aim at Celtic. We’re going into the game full of confidence after a positive result on Thursday night.
“As a changing room we all know our roles and we all believe that this could be a successful season. We’ve been working very hard on the training ground and doing our analysis to really understand what everyone has to be doing, and just to believe in it.
“That’s the message from the gaffer – that we believe in everything that we’re doing, and the boys definitely did that last Sunday and we all came together as a team and put in a really good performance, and hopefully this really kick-starts our season and we can go on a good run and continue doing that week in, week out.”
Anthony Ralston proving to be a good squad option for Celtic
I don’t think anyone is under any illusions. Celtic still need to strengthen in the right-back area. The club have been linked with names such as Yan Couto and Josip Juranovic in recent days. That’s still a priority.
Ralston is unlikely to be first-choice in the position all season. But I’ll tell you what, he’s not a bad squad option at all. He seems to be a reliable presence who can come in and do a job for the club for a few games here and there, especially in the Scottish Premiership.
He’s committed, hungry and eager to prove people wrong. That’s what you want from someone competing for a place in the team.
With goals too, he’s shown he’s not just content getting through matches without making an impact.
Ralston has played himself into contention and I’m delighted about that, even if the club do need to get on with transfer business.
In other news, Summer signing shines and Moffat scores 5 as Celtic B run riot with 10-0 win in Lowland League.
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