Anthony Ralston

Much much more impressed than the last time i saw him, looked quicker and much better with the ball at his feet. Good in defence as well and won a lot of aerial duels.

 

He's a beast, fast and strong, not scared of a tackle, up and down the line all game.

 

I'd be happy with a more robust and less injured Lustig. That seems to be what I'm reading from you all who have seen him.

 

Did well today. There's a player in there and Brendan is the best person to get it out of him.

 

Ah even worse. Give the bhoy a proper number under 25 next season. And 3 to Tierney as well. We are looking like an ice hockey side with those numbers.

 

Nothing wrong with it.

 

I've actually noticed that for a while now. Our youth players don't seem to give up their original numbers after breaking through. McGeady was the first, but Forrest is still 49, Tierney is still 63, be interesting to see if any of these guys decide to take something more traditional on their shirts after they settle in the first team.

 

A

Aye I don't mind one youngster breaking through and having a big random number but not a team of them.

Try get as close to 1-11 as we can.

Tierney 3
Armstrong 6 or 4
Lustig 2
Roberts 7...

 

Yeah, exactly, you got the point. I made this in my free time (had too much of it lately as you can see), anyone who knows BR's email address feel free to send him that.

1 Gordon
2 Boyata/Lustig
3 KT
4 Erik
5 Jozo
6 Bitton (Armstrong can have it if Bitton leaves)
7 Roberts/Forrest
8 Brown
9 Griff
10 Dembele
11 Sinclair

12 Gamboa
13 Ralston
14 Armstrong
15 Henderson
16 Mackay Steven (if he stays)
17 Christie (if he is not loaned out)
18 Rogic
19 McGregor
20 Kouassi (if Lustig accepts the 2, keep it with Boyata)
21 Forrest/Roberts/New Signing
22 Second choice keeper
23 Lustig (if Boyata is 2)
24 Whoelse needs a number
25 Calvin Miller

 

The good old hockey game, is the best game you can name.

 

Did Tierney no choose 63 because Tommy Gemmell scored 63 goals

 

I think fans care more about squad numbers than players..

Some players probably a bit superstitious to change too..

 

Ralston put in a good performance yesterday by the sounds of things. Hope to see him involved more. I like Gamboa as well though I thought he was coming on to a game when Lustig was out.

 

What a feeling making my first start at celtic park, boyhood dream come true





https://mobile.twitter.com/anthonyralston8/status/861242377855533058

 

I'm sure I've read this is a tradition that goes back to Tommy Burns. Possibly Darren O'Dea who mentioned it. Craig Beattie, David Marshall, Aiden McGeady, Shaun Maloney, John Kennedy never changed to lower numbers when they became first team players. Something to do with them keeping the number he allocated them.

The only one I can remember changing was Stephen McManus. He maybe did it because he'd been made club captain.

 

ANTHONY Ralston believes his involvement in Saturday’s draw with Rapid Vienna was another valuable experience towards his aim of becoming a first-team regular in Paradise.

The 18-year-old featured for the second half of the 1-0 victory over Blau-Weiss Linz in Celtic's opening pre-season fixture in Austria.

And he also introduced just beyond the hour-mark in the encounter with Rapid to help Brendan Rodgers’ side fight back to secure a share of the spoils through Moussa Dembele’s late penalty.

Ralston, who made his first start for the six-in-a-row champions towards the end of the season against St Johnstone, is aiming to make further inroads into the top team over the coming campaign.

And the talented teenager told Celtic TV that being part of the club’s pre-season preparations and coming up against the likes of Rapid Vienna can only help him take his game to the next level.

“It was brilliant again,” he said. “I was involved in pre-season last year in these types of games and it’s always tough coming back in after a short break but all the lads are all still fit and have kept in good nick.

“For myself, it was a great test against a very good team in hard conditions as well. I will take it all on board and learn from it. It was a good experience and I enjoyed it.

“It’s been a great experience for me to come in and be involved. I am learning all the time, playing with experienced players and working with great coaching staff. I have enjoyed it all, taking it all in and learning.

“I will always working hard. I will never get ahead of myself or have a big ego or be big-headed. I will always remain grounded and keep trying to learn and better myself.

"Playing alongside great players and playing against great opposition is only going to make you better. You want to play against teams like Rapid Vienna and it’s only going to make me a better player.

“I am working as hard as I can to prove I can get a shot," he continued. "That’s the aim and I’m looking forward to the season ahead and hopefully I can overcome a lot of challenges. I have set myself targets and goals and hopefully I can achieve them, and we will see how the season goes.”

And the full-back showed his growing maturity by operating in an unfamiliar position when he came on against the Austrian Bundesliga side.

“It was a new role for me as a centre-back in three at the back,” he added. “You just have to have the belief in that you can fill in that position and the manager did so it gave me the confidence to try something new. It was a new challenge and hopefully I showed the manager I can fill in there as well."

 

Is Gamboa with the squad?

Prefer him to Ralston from what I've seen of both so far but it looks like Brendan doesn't fancy him and wants to develop Ralston.

I trust his judgement of course, would be great to have two young homegrown fullbacks who can cut it at the top level.

 

No Gamboa is getting ready for the gold cup.

 

Didn't see the game yesterday but I want to like this boy as he's all action and has the physicality to really be a good full back, but......his ability on the ball is pish and a reason I can't see him cutting the mustard..

 

I think he should get atleast double figure appereances over the season, the guy has talent and the heart to make it here. Glad Rodgers sees that too.