When Celtic equalised at Hearts on the first day of this season, there was plenty of double-checking being done on the press desks at Tynecastle. Was that really Tony Ralston who had floated forward, evaded challenges and then scored such a graceful goal?
Previously, the right back looked too clunky in possession and chunky of build to make it at Celtic, but he has flourished under Ange Postecoglou and has a strong argument to be considered the most improved player in Scotland so far this season.
It may not be an accident that the Australian played the same position before becoming a coach, or perhaps fatherhood has brought a maturity that was previously missing from Ralston’s performances. He finished 2021 by winning his first Scotland cap in the 2-0 win over Denmark and with far more club minutes under his belt than Nathan Patterson, his right-back rival at Rangers, he will aim to add more international appearances in 2022.
The 23-year-old admits he has not had an opportunity to reflect on the progress he has made this season, with the games coming thick and fast. “It’s a bit mental,” he said. “I haven’t really had a chance to sit back and think about it, but I’m sure when that time comes, it will be something I’m really proud of.
“To come from where I was at the beginning of the season to where I am now, it’s been a massive turnaround. But it’s only the beginning for me. It’s no secret that I want to play for Celtic. I want to have my career here. I want to keep going in this direction, but I’m delighted by how the season’s gone so far, because I feel I’ve contributed to the team in such a positive way. I hope I can continue to do that in the second half of the season.”
Celtic have lifted the League Cup, the first trophy of the season, but have work to do in the league, where they trailed Rangers by six points going into a winter break brought forward due to Covid restrictions on crowds. Rangers have mastered the knack of winning when not at their best, like the recent 1-0 victory over depleted Dundee United, while Celtic have faltered when that’s been the case, such as their 0-0 draw at St Mirren. If that pattern persists, Rangers will retain the title.
“It’s just important that we focus on ourselves and what we do,” Ralston responds. “There will always be other things going on, on the outside, but we just have to stick together as a team and as a club. That’s all we can do.”
Ralston admits he thought he was finished at Celtic before Postecoglou arrived last summer. “Through the course of last season, I didn’t get much game time and was coming towards the end of my contract,” he said. “It was normal to think that my time here was coming to an end, but I never gave up. I’d the opportunity to extend for a year, so I took it, and through that I got playing.
“In the last few months I’ve signed a long-term contract. Things change in football so quickly. You have to just stay positive, keep the right mindset and work hard. That’s what I did.”
He says his family helped him persevere when he might have moved on, as did becoming a dad — his daughter turns two next month. “I’ve got a huge family support behind me. From when I was a kid, there’s been ups and downs, but every step of the way, from a young age, they’ve always been there to support me. They’ve been the ones who always believed in me when others didn’t, so I owe them a massive thanks for supporting me through the good and hard times.
“I became a father when things weren’t going well with my football, but that motivated me to give my daughter the best life possible. That really pushed me to come in every day and work hard. I knew if my chance came, I had to take it for her.
“There was a lot of motivation from fatherhood, my family and also just from myself. I want to make the best career I can because I’ve worked so hard since I was a kid. I wasn’t going to let the opportunity go when I got it. A lot has gone into this and I’m delighted to be where I am now. Mila was born just before lockdown, so it was a tricky time for everyone, but it came at the right time personally.”
Jota back at Benfica getting treatment
Jota has been assessed and is receiving treatment at Benfica’s training centre this weekend after the club’s reserve manager was appointed as interim boss.
The Portuguese winger, 22, has been a huge success at Parkhead since joining on a season-long loan, with Celtic having an option to make the deal permanent for £6 million.
He suffered a hamstring injury at the start of last month and missed their Premier Sports Cup final win against Hibs.
And as the SPFL winter break has now begun, Jota was ordered back home by Benfica’s medical staff to check on his injury recovery plan with the Lisbon club’s physiotherapists. He was pictured at their Seixal training complex yesterday.
Benfica sacked veteran manager Jorge Jesus — who allowed the former Portugal Under-21 to go to Glasgow on loan — last week. He has been replaced by Benfica reserve team manager Nelson Verissimo, who was Jota’s manager when he played for their second-string team.
Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou revealed last week he hoped Jota would be back to full fitness by the time the Hoops return to action, against Hibernian on January 17.
