Anthony Ralston

Got caught wrong side of his man, basics for a right back covering the back post. His crossing is so wasteful as well but he can get the job done.

 

I have to say that I do blame him a bit, mate.

I don't blame him too much as I've watched it back and it's a very good bit of movement from their player that catches him out and, like you say, it's a * of a ball. Maeda also shares some of the responsibility IMO for not closing the guy down.

It would be harsh to say that Ralston or Maeda screwed up as such; but if we want to prevent goals like that against decent opposition, we have to look to do better there.

 

We need people like Ralston in the team. We are short at home grown quota especially club trained.

Is he an absolute world beater? No, is he a dependable player that will give it his all, yes.

We are not in a place to have 2 equal ability players in every position, of we have first choice players out we will drop slightly, that happens at pretty much every team.

 

In the squad

 

Love it, just after this as well he is the one who initiates the run towards our end. This Bhoy loves Celtic as much as any of us in here

 

The Celtic squad went into Christmas party mode after the Premier Sports Cup triumph.

But it was more of a Silent Night for Anthony Ralston.

While the rest of the Hoops let their hair down – with a group enjoying a night at the darts – the defender was tucked up in bed preparing for his four-year-old daughter Mila’s nativity show the next morning.


Ralston was happy with Away in a Manager but now the celebrations have died down he wants Celtic to remain out of danger in the Premiership title race.


The 26-year-old said: “Aye, the majority of the boys did! I had my wee girl’s nursery nativity at 9am in the morning. I was watching her be a wee angel in her Christmas show. I cut my party short! But the lads took it in and enjoyed it, which is important you do in these moments in your career.

“She was smiling ear to ear when she saw me in the front row

Her and the rest of her class were brilliant, it was a really well put together show


I was buzzing with it. I tried to take her to Smyths for a wee toy afterwards but I think she was knackered!”

Ralston and his Parkhead pals know how she felt. They put in a lung-busting shift over two hours and penalty kicks to their hands on the League Cup trophy.

The full back – who came off the bench at Hampden early in the second half – said: “As long as we won the trophy, I wasn't really bothered about how you do it. Obviously it was a dramatic ending. It's about how much we wanted to win it in the end and we pushed right through to the end.


When it comes down to penalties, Kasper (Schmeichel) did amazingly make the save, and the boys who stepped up and showed the courage to take the penalty and put them away, is ultimately how we won it.”

Ralston was too busy watching the show to pay too much attention to the fallout – with Rangers left raging at the non award of a penalty kick call.


The Scotland man insisted the controversy hasn’t taken any shine off the cup win.

He said: “Personally, I don't think so. I think as players, after the game, or even at the time, there was an on-field decision made from the officials, which has nothing to do with us.

“At the time, I feel there wasn't much said about it

then obviously, given the result, there was more said. But I don't think it takes anything away from winning the trophy.

“I think, as us as players, and from a personal point of view, the main thing for us is that we got our hands on the trophy, which we did, and then everything that comes after that, especially in football, there's going to be opinions and views, which is fine. But it's nothing to do with us.”

Ralston was just delighted to add to his impressive Celtic medal collection – with the stalwart now up to an incredible 13 major honours.

Not that he’ll stand around admiring them for too long.

Ralson said: “I keep them in my house, keep them in a safe place but I think as well it's important that you do enjoy them, and you do take it in.

“For example, at the weekend it was such a big game, and to be involved in it, and to get our hands on the trophy, you spend the time with your family, your friends, the couple of days that I spoke about and really take it in.

“But when you're at a club like this, you demand so much success, the next challenge is only around the corner, given the weekend

So your success is very much put behind you very quickly and that's what I'm saying in terms of thinking about medals, or how many you've got, or anything like that.


There's just no time to do that, and it's about you've got the next one. “Sunday's a part of our challenge that we want to complete, which is the league.

“So there's always a next challenge around the corner at a club like this, and that's why it's put behind us, and we're ready to go again.”

Ralston knows there celebrations can’t last too long anyway. The games are coming thick and fast over the festive period and this is a time of year where massive inroads can be made towards the title.

Celts face Dundee United on Tayside on Sunday before home clashes on Boxing Day and next weekend against Motherwell and St Johnstone


A rare Parkhead run out on the 26th will allow the Hoops squad to stay in their own beds on Christmas night – but Ralston knows this time of year is strictly business.

He said: “It’s important. We have come through such a busy period of games and the boys have done well in terms of grinding out results



It’s hard when you have such a busy schedule. When you are at a club of this magnitude there are no excuses or things you can put in the way of success.

“It doesn’t matter how many games you’ve got. We have a big squad and talented played to take on the challenge head on, whether it’s the Champions League, the league or the cups


We got in to each game aiming to get a result and for the most part that’s what we’ve managed to do.

“We have another busy spell but there’s no excuses – we’ll take it head on.

“Christmas is always busy but if you come out the other side with results you are in a good place.”

 

I'm sorry but I'm * sick at how often his first thought is to go back..

Does it so much. Would love to see a statto stick up how much he goes under no real pressure by the halfway line..

Complained about it at half time. 1 minute to go in the 95th minute needing a winner and he still can't help his self..

Painfully slow as well..

 

Thought he was rotten today, hopefully Johnston is fit for next week.

 

He’s just a very ordinary football player. Won the lottery making so many appearances for us.

Ryan Strain at Dundee Utd is probably a better full back.

 

He seemed to think Kasper Schmeichel was our best bet for a goal.

 

The drop in ability from Johnstone to him is staggering.

 

He's the same for Scotland . Can be on the half way line with options in front of him and will often turn and play a 50 yard pass back to the keeper.

 

I love him but am now seeing the chalk and cheese difference in him and AJ. Some of his mistakes were schoolboy *, really basic.

 

I like ralston a lot for some things he brings to the squad but I’d actually agree Ryan Strain is a higher level.

Never seems to have a bad game against us.

 

Funny how * judge things, if Maeda loops that header over the keeper everycunts creaming over Ralstons delivery.

Sometimes think it’s bizarre how much people see different things in games, seeing him being criticised for playing the ball to the CB’s or keeper was entirely unexpected opening this. I have a large appreciation for Ralston, but him forcing the pass forward was the irritating thing for me with his performance. He kept trying the inbetween fullback and CB pass.


Both Yang and then Maeda, mostly Yang, never had the awareness to even try the run to receive it. He kept trying it. When Abada played infront of him it was devastating, Kuhn would know to do it, but the run was never there Yangs no football IQ and Maeda was gubbed. Kyogo went there late on and it was more effective but that was a minimal amount of time. He should realise instead of hoping it works.

 

Brilliant today.. reliable as ever

 

Fair play. Deserved a couple of assists too.

 

Thought he was very good today. Solid as ever.