Celtic are back in action at Tynecastle on Saturday after several of their prize assets enjoyed a productive international break with their respective countries.
With build-up hitting fever pitch as the reigning Scottish Premiership champions travel to face Heart of Midlothian, 13 Bhoys will return from the November window as club football enters the forefront once again.
On a positive note, there were plenty of Celtic success stories during the international break. Arne Engels made his full Belgium debut against Italy, while fellow midfielder Paulo Bernardo netted for Portugal Under-21s away to Slovakia.
Daizen Maeda, Reo Hatate and Kyogo Furuhashi all earned valuable minutes across Japan’s two fixtures. At the same time, Anthony Ralston featured in Scotland’s victories over Croatia and Poland.
Painting an overwhelmingly positive picture, pundit Stephen McGinn has sniped back at doubters who he feels have given one Celtic star too much criticism in the past.
Stephen McGinn on Celtic star Anthony Ralston’s ‘resilience’
Speaking on the Go Radio Football Show, McGinn believes Anthony Ralston has shown admirable ‘resilience’ for club and country when called upon and championed his ability to ‘brush’ criticism aside to put in a string of competent performances for Scotland after a disappointing Euro 2024 campaign.
He explained: “I think it’s maybe because I’ve got a bias to resilience in football, but Anthony Ralston. John was speaking about the criticism he took over the summer.
“He got it really heavy, and everyone because he doesn’t play at Celtic (said) he shouldn’t be playing.
“See, in terms of such an open game; he was always all the time one-on-one with wingers for Poland and for a guy that doesn’t play a lot of football.
“I know he came off late in the game for Nicky Devlin, but the criticism, he brushes it off and goes and does a job, whether it be Celtic or Scotland, to the best of his ability.”
Anthony Ralston has shown capability at the elite level
Featuring for Scotland against Portugal, Croatia and Poland, Ralston has been part of a side that has conceded just one goal in three matches courtesy of a stunning Kamil Piatkowski strike.
Although his opportunities at club level are limited, the Celtic full-back is capable of stepping in when needed for Brendan Rodgers should Alistair Johnston require some respite over the coming weeks.
Ultimately, the Bhoys have a loaded fixture schedule that will push their squad to their limit, meaning it is likely Ralston will get an opportunity to shine at some point.
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