Scout Report – Anthony Ralston
Last week Celtic were thrashed 5-0 by a marauding Paris Saint-Germain in their first group game of the UEFA Champions League. While the defeat was very much foreseen before the clash itself, the headlines were grabbed by a certain teenager, who went toe to toe against one of the world’s best in Neymar.
The Bhoys’ 18-year old right-back, Anthony Ralston, may not have had the best of the games, but showed he is not afraid of going up against the world’s most expensive player, putting in challenges one after the other, exchanging verbal volleys. The youngster got into Neymar’s head so much so that, the Brazilian, after the game, refused to shake hands with Ralston.
His performances seem to have not gonea unnoticed, as there has been reported interest from a number of English clubs, including Tottenham Hotspur and Everton.
So, just who is this 18-year old defender who managed to get on Neymar’s nerves? Here we take a closer look:
Footballing Background
Born on 16 November, 1998, in Bellshill, Scotland, Ralston has been with the Celtic academy through his formative years, having joined the academy in 2009, as a 9-year old.
Having risen through the ranks, catching the attention of the coaches at a very young age, Ralston was loaned out to Scottish League Two side Queen’s Park ahead of the 2015/16 campaign, where he made 15 appearances, scoring once and assisting two goals, before returning to the Parkhead in January 2016.
The right-back went on to make his senior debut for the Hoops later that season, featuring in a 2-1 loss against St. Johnstone on 11 May 2016. The 18-year old managed just two senior appearances in the 16/17 campaign, but has grown into prominence in the ongoing season.
Ralston, this season, has appeared 7 times in all competitions and has given a good outing of himself. The 18-year old scored his first goal for the club in a 5-0 win over Kilmarnock in the League Cup and has registered two assists so far.
Ralston made his debut for the Scotland U19s side last year in October 2016 and went on to make 6 appearances, before he was called up to the U21 time earlier this month. The right-back made his bow for the U21s on September 5, 2017 against the Netherlands U21 outfit.
Style of Play
A modern day full-back, who thrives in the attack mode, Ralston has shown a very strong and an aggressive mindset so far in his fledgling career, which means he never backs down from a challenge and backs himself to succeed.
Despite being just 18 years of age, the right-back has shown very good maturity and demonstrated good understanding of the game. He is fast, has shown he is more than able with the ball at his feet, and fairly strong in the air too. Surely, as with any player of his age, the Scottish U-21 star needs quite a bit of polishing in his game, more so with the defensive aspects, but the innate abilities within him are there for everyone to see.
What Does the Future Hold?
While it is too early to judge a player with just ten senior games to his name, Ralston has shown a certain edge to his game and looks a more than decent player in the making. The youngster has a contract till the summer of 2019, but should be more than happy to sign on a new deal given the amount of game time he is getting and the faith and belief that manager Brendan Rodgers has placed on him.
The big clubs might be circling, but he need not look farther than Kieran Tierney to know what’s best for him at the moment, who shunned interest from a number of bigwigs to stay at the Celtic Park and continue his development.