Celtic Fringe Man Praised for Top “Mentality”

Celtic fringe man Anthony Ralston has been praised for his elite mentality by former Hoops attacker Simon Donnelly.

It comes after the right-back registered another two caps for his country over the international break.

Ralston started in Scotland’s disappointing defeats to both Poland and Portugal, putting in some respectable displays along the way.

He carelessly gave away a penalty against the Poles but helped set up the goal that got Steve Clarke’s men level in the match.

Ralston always seems to bounce back from adversity, and Donnelly has recently hailed his mindset.

“I think, with Ralston, I think a lot of it’s mentality,” he said (Clyde 1 Superscoreboard via Glasgow Times).

“He came in for a bit of stick in the Euros. The other night, after making the mistake, it’s a clumsy tackle for the penalty, but he’s there for the assist.

“He can put mistakes behind him; we know he’s not even the regular at Celtic, but he’s in there now, and he’s doing a job.”

For both club and country, Ralston is a reliable performer when called upon.

He isn’t the first choice at right-back for Celtic or Scotland, but he can adeptly fill in when others are absent.

Indeed, for the Hoops, his services could be called upon this Saturday.

The Bhoys host Hearts, and after he limped off for Canada against the USA last weekend, Alistair Johnston’s availability for the match is up in the air.

Jesse Marsch did ease things with a positive update a few days ago, but Johnston awaits an assessment from the Celtic medical team.

If he is deemed unable to play, Ralston will once more prove his reliability and come into the team to deputise.