The vast majority of Celtic supporters are aware that Anthony Ralston is a player Brendan Rodgers can always count on.
Ralston is aware that Alistair Johnston is the Celtic manager’s first choice right back, and the Scotland defender is fine with that.
For the Hoops defender, the scenario with Scotland is the same. Even though Ralston is well aware that Steve Clarke has other alternatives on his plate, he still gives his club team and the national team his all.
That is why, prior to Scotland’s match against Croatia yesterday night, Peter Grant was furious when he spoke about the Celtic defence.
Following Celtic defender Anthony Ralston’s criticism of Scotland, Peter Grant was accused of “not being funny.”
Grant was praising Ralston and his current significance to Scotland, and the Hoops star was not amused when he heard someone suggest that Jack Hendry should take the Celtic defender’s position.
“I’ve got to admit, I thought he’d done well even in the Euros when he was getting a lot of criticism,” Grant said on The Go Radio Football Show. I am not being humorous. The only place you can play the ball is backwards, even if you are Danny McGrain playing right back and no one else is there to receive it.
Grant responded, “Because one he’s not playing as often, he’s a substitute, people say he’s no good enough, he’s no international, he can’t get in the Celtic team,” when asked why he believed Ralston was constantly receiving criticism.
And that’s just how Scotland is. In the event that they turn around and ask, “Who will play before him?” It was actually on the broadcast, I believe, that I heard someone mention yesterday that they would play Jack Hendry again.
“How is it possible to play Jack Hendry immediately before Tony Ralston? I’m just not able to see that at all. Furthermore, even though I am aware that Jack has performed there, Jack Hendry should never, ever perform there before Tony Ralston.
Anthony Ralston, a defender for Celtic, has “all the assets” to play for Scotland, according to Grant.
Grant went on, “You see, if you were a winger, I wouldn’t relish playing against him. Why? because we no longer witness his extreme aggression against you.
“You are aware that Tony Ralston is your opponent. He can be tight at times, even excessively tight.
“He doesn’t throw away pointless free kicks. However, he is as strong as a bull and acts very aggressively towards you. Do you understand?
And each of these is a good thing. His box has a lot of light crosses on it. These factors are all just as crucial as a fullback.
Additionally, I believe he has all the resources. It’s not because I’m Celtic or anything. I would tell you straight out why I would be saying it. However, he merits his position.
“He should be playing, not a centre back at right back, if he is the only right back here.
“That would seem absurd to me.”
Ralston’s performance for Scotland in last night’s victory over Croatia garnered praise from the media, with several outlets concurring that he played a strong ninety minutes for Steve Clarke’s team.
During the Nations League victory at Hampden, the Celtic defender barely made a mistake and even displayed some deft passing.
Ralston will next go to Poland in the hopes of earning his 13th cap for his country and helping them defeat a Polish team that was soundly defeated 5-1 by Portugal at the Estadio do Dragao in Porto last night.
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