Celtic’s Scottish Cup semi-final win over St Mirren was nothing short of chaotic, a whirlwind of a match that pushed the players to their absolute limits.
Yet, amid the relentless turbulence on the Hampden Park pitch, Anthony Ralston provided a crucial beacon of calm in Celtic’s backline, delivering an impressive, strong and composed performance throughout his 120 minutes on the pitch.
Let’s be honest, the Scottish right-back is only starting under Martin O’Neill out of sheer necessity.
With Alistair Johnston, Julian Araujo, and rising academy prospect Colby Donovan all sidelined with injuries, Ralston has been filling the void in recent times.
You even had a situation, before the March international break, where Reo Hatate was playing at right-back instead of Ralston against Dundee United.
That’s how much he had fallen down the pecking order at Celtic.
However, rather than looking like a forced backup option making up the numbers, Ralston looked like a player with a monumental point to prove.
- READ MORE: Michael Stewart’s ban at Celtic semi-final forces referees to draw a clear line on criticism
Does Anthony Ralston have a future at Celtic?
Frank McAvennie has questioned Ralston's role at Celtic
Anthony Ralston produces a Man of the Match display as Celtic secure Scottish Cup final ticket
Ralston has faced heavy criticism in the past, with pundits like Frank McAvennie publicly questioning his long-term role and future in Glasgow.
Against St Mirren and during many pressurised moments of a Scottish Cup semi-final, the 27-year-old emphatically silenced those doubts.
He proved his worth with a display so outstanding that a genuine argument could easily be made for him taking home Man of the Match honours.
Football fans universally love an unsung hero, and perhaps Ralston is perfectly primed to be exactly that for Celtic during this tense title run-in and the crucial build-up to the Scottish Cup final.
Yes, a fully fit Johnston remains the firm number one choice, and young Donovan represents the future – it’s not yet known when or if they will return before the season ends in May.
But Ralston’s sheer grit and reliability prove one unquestionable fact: he still deserves a massive amount of respect for what he has given to this club.
Celtic are still on course to win the domestic double, and if that happens, then it will be 16 trophies in the cabinet for Ralston.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
