Anthony Ralston

He’s one of us and he’s got a contract we can all dream of

 

Smart move by the club, ticks lots of boxes.

 

One thing you can never question is that he'll give us 100%... when it's grim, mid-winter and we need someone to grind something out he's a good lad to have onboard... and he hates the Huns, passionately... those 2 things are enough for me to overlook that we could get better in, and remember he's perfectly adequate for 90% of what we need him for

 

I think it's a good decision for us; surprised he doesn't want to go somewhere he'll get more game time, though. For us, he'll only ever be a backup. No doubt, someone will point out that the money in the SPL is rubbish; but I still don't get it.

 

Chuffed for him.

Have criticised him previously but I do think he’s improved massively since Ange came in.

We can certainly count on him to put 100% in every time he pulls on the jersey.

 

Superb big Tony bhoy.

 

You’ve got to admire him, even if he lacks a bit of quality at times. Give his all, living the dream - fair play.

 

I think a lot of people (including myself) would rather be 2nd choice at the club you love on a really good wage knowing you’ll at least get some game time over the course of the season vs. being 1st choice at some mediocre side where you’ll never have a chance of winning anything. His family will be settled up here as well.

 

Can't fault him for taking the deal.

 

It would be great to have a couple of world class right backs, say Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dani Carvajal fighting for the same position, but we are in the SPL not some EA Games simulator- but Ralston 100% is great to see and when needed he comes through.....something that I love about Ralston is that he does come across a little like a football fan living the dream we all fantasise about....also in my slightly twisted mind, I like the idea of a guy who I believe would pile in for a square go.....

 

No problem Ralston getting a new deal and understand because of the Scottish quota but * sake giving Bain a new deal because he's Scottish there must be a Scottish keeper better than Bain we could sign and * forbid Hart was to get a long term injury as we are * then .

 

Delighted for him, wears his heart on his sleeve. Never hides, ideal back up for AJ, low dollar back up player who can be relied upon to do a job when called upon.

 

aww, look at that hair

 

Yeah,happy for him.He plays with the passion of a supporter.
That passion radiates out to others in the squad.HH

 

I still remember when he came in as an emergency right back against Barca in the Champions League. He was only about 17/18 and Neymar absolutely tore him a new * for the whole game. I didnt think then that he would still be here now all those years on and for him to be a steady squad player that we can rely on to do a job. Fair play to the guy.

 

Anthony Ralston lifts lid on fight to get where he is at Celtic - 'I never gave up'
“Hometown discount” is a phrase used commonly throughout American sports to describe those players who agree contract extensions below their market value simply because they’re eager to stay with their local club.





Anthony Ralston claims not to have been privy to the negotiations that took place between Celtic and his representatives prior to him penning his latest deal but, given his well-known and long-standing affiliation with the club, it’s difficult to imagine his agent trying to play hardball without being laughed out of the room.

Still, it speaks volumes both for Ralston’s consistency and improvement as a player that Celtic were willing to hand him a new four-year contract that will extend his attachment with the club, should he stay until the end of it, to 20 years, man and boy. Now 24 years old and a new father to daughter, Mila, there is an earnest gratitude about this week’s development and an admission that there was a time when he feared his long-term future might need to be forged elsewhere.


It’s a proud moment for myself, my family and everyone involved,” he said. “It’s good to try and take these moments in because they don’t come around all the time. As everyone has in their career, there have been difficult moments. When I was slightly younger there was a period of time when I did think things weren’t going the way I’d have wanted here



But I never gave up the fight and the people I’ve had around me – my family and my biggest motivation being my little girl coming along – have supported me. There are life things that happen and circumstances that give you that extra motivation and fight.

“I look back at those times then and it was worth the fight so I’m delighted. I’m a Celtic fan and come from a Celtic family. I used to go to all the games with my uncle and was a ball boy at all the games after that. It’s crazy to think that way now, being a player, but looking back they’re great memories and it’s more special being here as a Celtic fan



Dressing rooms are increasingly cosmopolitan places these days and there will be more languages spoken inside the Celtic one these days than the Tower of Babel. Manager Brendan Rodgers, however, recently acknowledged the importance of his squad retaining a Scottish core and Ralston is happy to join others like Callum McGregor and Greg Taylor in relaying the club’s values to the incomers.

“For the boys coming in from different backgrounds, they have to quickly understand what it’s like here, and the demands and the success that the club wants,” added the full-back. “They can see that through the likes of myself, Callum, Greg and others. I do my best to speak to the new boys and welcome them to the club. If players are coming here and moving away from their families, or even if their families are making the move with them, it can be difficult. You just try to help them settle in as best as possible as someone from around here who has got his family here. So myself, Callum and Greg have all tried to help them as much as we can.”


Celtic travel to Motherwell for the Saturday lunchtime kick-off with Ralston believing the team is now starting to gel after a sticky start. “You can see over the past few results and the way the team has performed that we are in a good place,” he added. “That was going to take a bit of time with new boys coming in.”

 

Great to see him extend. Been a key player in the last few seasons. RB position is solid just now.