Celtic midfielder David Turnbull has explained the pre-match incident in Hungary when Anthony Ralston had to leave the pitch against Ferencvaros.
Bizarrely, the Hoops right-back was off the pitch before the game even begun. This was due to the fact he had to change his socks despite having not even kicked a ball.
It was a rather odd incident on the night with kickoff delayed because of it. It certainly got to the Ferencvaros supporters a touch rattled as they urged Ralston to get on with it.
However, Turnbull has finally explained what that situation was all about. As quoted by the Scotsman, the Scotland international said: “Haha – you will need to ask him that.
“I think he cuts the back of them to try and avoid cramp but with it being a European tie I don’t think the referees let you away with that. So the physios had to tape it up which meant he had to run back off again.
“It was not exactly that start we wanted, but it was a good laugh.”
Anthony Ralston shrugged off early heat to boss it for Celtic against Ferencvaros
In fairness to Ralston, he managed to bounce back from the early stick he was receiving to boss it in Hungary.
Not only did he come close to scoring for Celtic when he clipped the bar in the second half, he was also defensively solid throughout the 90 minutes. In his first game after signing a new contract, he was unplayable at times.
Of course, he was slightly at fault for the second Ferencvaros goal. Many will feel he could’ve closed down the shot from Myrto Uzuni. However, at the same time, nobody could’ve predicted he was going to find the far corner with such precision.
As for his sock tactic, it’s an interesting decision. And yet another of those bizarre, picky UEFA rules that seem to be in place for no reason.
Tony didn’t have the same problem against Real Betis or Bayer Leverkusen for that matter. Or even in the first game against the Hungarian side at Celtic Park. Interesting that it was an issue on this occasion.
Regardless, at least we know it won’t be an issue at Dens Park today!
In other news, SFA hand referee first Celtic match in nearly 9 months vs Dundee
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