The international break is around the corner, and Celtic fans will have to wait until the resumption of club football to see Brendan Rodgers and the Bhoys back in action.
Making a bright start to the campaign, Celtic are on a nine-match domestic winning run and will hope to continue that against Ross County this weekend.
Looking ahead to the trip to the Highlands, Anthony Ralston could well be in with a chance of starting in place of counterpart Alistair Johnston amid his back problem.
Whether the former CF Montreal right-back will be available for selection remains debatable. Canada boss Jesse Marsch confirmed Johnston would stay behind during the break as he looks to get up to full sharpness.
Lately, 67 Hail Hail covered why injury issues and the intense fixture ahead could lead to Brendan Rodgers’ comments on Ralston’s Celtic future coming true. Back in May, the Irishman hinted the Scotland defender would have a more prominent role in his plans this season.
Potentially accelerating the process, there is a likely scenario involving his international exploits that may aid his aims of first-team minutes at Celtic Park.
Celtic man Anthony Ralston’s opportunity with Scotland
Taking an unusual slant, Everton manager Sean Dyche’s comments on Nathan Patterson’s prolonged injury problems at Goodison Park could offer some pivotal clues surrounding Ralston’s opportunity to star on the international stage while Celtic take a break.
Cited via The Scotsman, Dyche explained why the Scotland international will take time to get back up to speed: “Patto’s was a different kind of injury. It was quite a serious injury on a tendon, which is unusual and needed surgery on a tendon. Therefore it needs more time. Coming back to true fitness and sharpness after six months which is a long time to be out.
“He’s on a games programme. He hadn’t done as much of the support training. Although he can play a bit quicker than Jarrad, he hadn’t done as my sports-science hours. We made a decision on Jarrad (Branthwaite, who returned in last week’s 2-1 win over Crystal Palace) and he felt right, Patto knows he’s still searching for true fitness and sharpness.
“There’s more to it, a different injury and the recovery is treated differently as well.”
With Patterson left out of the Scotland squad alongside long-term injury sufferer Aaron Hickey, Ralston could well get the call to answer Steve Clarke’s mission to solve what is becoming a problem position for the Tartan Army.
Anthony Ralston could strengthen Celtic’s squad power
Recently, Celtic manager Rodgers spoke about squad power at the reigning Scottish Premiership champions, which means he has the chance to make alterations between fixtures without major hesitation.
Although he primarily referred to supplementing energy levels, his players’ ability to experience minutes against high-calibre opposition to keep themselves in shape would also fall into that category.
Lennoxtown graduate Ralston could well be thrown in from the start against Croatia and Portugal later this month, enhancing his ability to step into the starting line-up when needed at Celtic.
While Johnston remains the Bhoys’ preferred choice at right-back, his positional counterpart has a chance to establish himself with his country that will, in turn, benefit his club prospects.
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