Anthony Ralston has never been Celtic’s most glamorous player. That is exactly why Pat Nevin’s latest assessment of the defender carries so much weight.
Pat Nevin summed that up perfectly after Scotland’s 4-0 win over Bolivia, delivering a verdict that explains exactly why managers continue to trust the Celtic defender.
Ralston’s appearance off the bench in Scotland’s victory over Bolivia was not spectacular. It did not need to be. Instead, it was another example of the consistency Nevin was talking about.
Pat Nevin nailed exactly what makes Anthony Ralston valuable
Ralston played 28 minutes of Scotland’s win and it seems the Celtic defender has impressed the BBC pundit.
Nevin told the Scottish Football Podcast, “Honestly, it just makes me smile as a player because there are certain players you think, you will give every single bet you have got for every single game. And usually it’s an eight out of ten, every single game. You do need players like that that you can absolutely rely on.
“It may be tough for you against some of the best world class winger in the world when you’re out there. Yeah, you will struggle on that. But he won’t be playing against them every week.
“I have a problem with that because I always think it’s what you can do for your country. It’s not what your country can do for you. If you’re needed in your country, once you turn up, you don’t have to tell me that.
“So that’s my attitude. And that’s not always been the case.
“But he’s not like all players. And there’s different attitudes and people have them. I just happen to like that one.
“And that’s Ralston for me.”
The most important part of Nevin’s assessment is that he is not pretending Ralston is a world-class full-back. He is praising the qualities that keep players in squads for years.
Reliability is a skill in itself. Managers know exactly what they are getting from Ralston every time he steps onto the pitch.
The numbers show why Scotland keep trusting Ralston
His contribution against Bolivia was another example of why he remains part of Steve Clarke’s plans.
- 28 minutes played
- 86% pass completion
- 1 chance created
- 1 big chance created
- 100% crossing accuracy
- 2 clearances
- Not dribbled past once
- 0 dispossessions
Those figures from Ralston’s Bolivia appearance will not generate headlines. They do, however, support Nevin’s argument. Ralston came on, did his job and helped Scotland see out a comfortable victory.
Brendan Rodgers has said the same thing at Celtic
Nevin is not alone in his view. Brendan Rodgers has previously described Ralston as “really pivotal to the culture of this club” and one of Celtic’s most important players.
That tells its own story. Ralston is not judged solely on starts, assists or appearances. He is valued because coaches trust his mentality, professionalism and readiness when called upon.
Players like that are easy to overlook from the outside. Inside dressing rooms, they are often indispensable.
Scotland’s win over Bolivia did not change anyone’s opinion of Anthony Ralston overnight. What it did do was provide another example of why managers keep trusting him. As Nevin suggested, football still has room for players who deliver an eight out of ten every time they are called upon.
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