Celtic right-back Anthony Ralston has left the club to join St Johnstone on a season-loan loan, the club announced on Monday.
It’s not the first that the 20-year-old has left to gain first-team experience. He’s previously had loan spells at Dundee United and Queen’s Park in the lower leagues.
However, this will be the first time he is able to test himself in the Scottish Premiership on a regular basis.
Ralston has made 19 senior appearances for the Hoops and while he’s been involved on the fringes of the first-team under Neil Lennon, it quickly became clear this summer that he would not be a preferred option.
Lennon shifted central defender Kristoffer Ajer on to the right flank instead of turning to Ralston for important European qualifiers. He also signed specialists Hatem Abd Elhamed and Moritz Bauer for the position.
All combined, it effectively meant Ralston would have no chance of a regular start at the Hoops this term.
We’ve seen in the past that loans can be a real positive for Celtic players. Callum McGregor and Ryan Christie notably left and returned as talents ready for more action.
Can Ralston do similar?
Fans have taken to Twitter to share their thoughts on the loan deal…
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