Anthony Ralston has praised Celtic’s squad players after Ange Postecoglou’s much-changed side knocked Ross County out of the Premier Sports Cup in Dingwall last night.
Ralston marked his first start of the season with two assists for Celtic’s second and final goals of the night as the holders made light work of a tricky looking start to their cup defence, beating Malky Mackay’s side 4-1.
Speaking on Celtic’s YouTube channel, Ralston said: “I thought all the boys were excellent. There were changes in the team but we all know as a squad what’s required. We’re going to use the squad this season so it’s important that the boys who came in did their job and that’s what they did, so I’m happy.
“It’s important that everybody knows their role when they come into the team and it’s credit to the boys who came in tonight who put the effort and the training in every single day so that they’re ready for their opportunity. It’s important that we maintain that standard as a squad moving forward so that when you do get your opportunity that you’re ready to take it
“We had a really good season as a squad, adapting to the way that the manager wants us to play but you saw how good the boys were at the weekend and the boys who came into the team today were able to maintain that standard and that’s what you’re looking for when you’re at a club like this.”
The Scotland international has previous in the Highlands, scoring a now-iconic 97th minute winner in December last year in Celtic’s title charge, and the 23 year old is pleased that Dingwall continues to be a happy hunting ground for Postecoglou’s side.
He said: “I’ve got great memories up here, it’s a long trip for the fans to make, especially midweek with work commitments, so credit to them for turning out and it’s up to us to perform and send them down the round happy and I’m happy that I could contribute to that and a good team performance.
“It’s an exciting time for us as a club, for us as players and we’re all looking forward to the challenges ahead.”
Postecoglou had the luxury of making nine changes to the side which hammered Dundee United 9-0 at the weekend in what turned out to be Jack Ross’ final game in charge, as five players made their first starts of the season.
It was a fine night’s work for the cup-holders who have a quarter-final at Fir Park against Motherwell in mid-October to look forward to, with a deluge of domestic and European fixtures between now and then.
First up, its a seismic double header against Rangers and Real Madrid in Paradise in the next few days, as Celtic look to maintain their place at the top of the Scottish Premiership, and mark their Champions League return with a positive result.
In other news: Malky Mackay happy just to get a goal against Celtic as he talks up Bhoys levels
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