Latest news with #AnthonyRalston
BBC News
2 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Hirst scores first Scotland goal in friendly win
Ipswich Town forward George Hirst scored his first senior goal for Scotland in their 4-0 friendly win over Liechtenstein on 26-year-old touched home at the far post after Che Adams had flicked on an Anthony Ralston cross three minutes after the was making his fourth appearance for Scotland's senior team and the game at the Rheinpark Stadion was his second start having been in the XI against Iceland on forward scored five goals for Ipswich last season as they were relegated from the Premier League.
Daily Record
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Lennon Miller one of four Lanarkshire stars in Scotland squad for friendlies
Four Lanarkshire stars are in Scotland's squad for their friendly double-header against Iceland and Liechtenstein next month. Muirhouse man Kieran Tierney, currently still at Arsenal, and Celtic defender Anthony Ralston from Airdrie, are in the 25-man squad, alongside Bologna captain Lewis Ferguson, from Hamilton, and Motherwell's Lennon Miller, who hails from Wishaw, and is one of seven uncapped call-ups. Steve Clarke's side host Iceland at Hampden on Friday, June 6, before traveling to Vaduz on Monday, June 9 for the friendly fixtures, in preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Former Motherwell defender Max Johnston, who is starring for Sturm Graz, is also in the squad. Miller will hope to make his first Scotland appearance, while Tierney is looking for his 50th.
BBC News
13-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Scottish core 'key' to Celtic success
Having a Scottish core at Celtic "is 100% key to your success", says manager Brendan was speaking in reference to right-back Anthony Ralston hinting that he would happily finish his career at Celtic."Guys like Tony are really pivotal to the culture of this club," said Rodgers."He doesn't play every single game, but he is probably one of our most important players here because of his history at the club."But also the likes of Greg Taylor, the other Scottish boys, not just the guys who have come through here, are important. Scott Bain doesn't play hardly ever, but he has been a real leader behind the scenes as well. "You always look from within to see if there are players in your academy who can make the step up. It has been very difficult in recent times just because of the level the team and the club are operating at. "But there is a pathway for a young player here 100%, with patience and a bit of development. The second look of course is outside."In terms of potential homegrown recruits, Rodgers commented: "I have loved working with the Scottish players when I have been up here. That is what we do."We look to homegrown to see if there is anyone we feel can improve our squad, to see if there is a young player who can come in and has that potential to be a starter here, so it is always something we cover in our recruitment."
Scottish Sun
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
I've been at Celtic for 18 years and won 14 trophies but I'll NEVER take it for granted says Anthony Ralston
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE sun shone on Celtic — and once again Tony Ralston shone for them. As a kid with a headful of dreams of becoming a pro, it was the image he always saw. 4 Anthony Ralston in action for Celtic Credit: Kenny Ramsay 4 Celtic's Anthony Ralston and Hibernian's Nicky Cadden (right) battle for the ball Credit: PA 4 Game time this season at Celtic has been limited for Ralston Credit: Kenny Ramsay And while the right-back has started only one more game for the Hoops than he has for Scotland this season — nine to eight — he'll never take for granted what he's doing at the champions. Opportunities may have been few and far between this term, but Ralston will never rush to find pastures new. He looks at the likes of skipper Callum McGregor and all-time leading trophy winner James Forrest, and the way they have become legends by staying put their whole career. If you offered him the same chance to be a one-club man right now too, Ralston, 26, would snap your hand off. He said: 'Yeah, I've been here since the age of eight, and worked all my life to be a Celtic player. 'I'm a Celtic fan, I come from a Celtic family. 'So days like this, playing at Celtic Park, with my friends and family coming to the game means I'd be silly to say I want anything else. 'Of course you want to be playing, and I'll continue to keep my head down and work for that. 'But Celtic's my job and this is where I love to be. 'On a day like this you had the sun beaming down and I was playing a game of football at Celtic Park. Fresh drone footage goes behind the scenes at Celtic's delayed new training complex 'If you'd said when I was a kid that would be the case, that that's what I'd be doing, I wouldn't have believed you. I never take it for granted.' It's why he'll try to take everything in from this Saturday's trophy day — already the seventh of a 14-medal career. Ralston added: 'You know, I never take those for granted either. My family will all come along to that and we'll enjoy that day when it comes. 'But we still have another game on Wednesday up at Aberdeen to take care of before that.' After the league title was wrapped up, fellow right-back Alistair Johnston was allowed to have a jab he'd been putting off to help fix an injury issue. It should see the Canadian back in time for the Scottish Cup final a week on Saturday, as the Hoops attempt to land yet another domestic Treble. In the meantime, though, his absence has opened the door for Ralston to get more game time, and he filled in effectively once again in the win over Hibs. Staying match sharp is understandably difficult for players who haven't been regulars, but Ralston reckons the relentless levels boss Brendan Rodgers sets each day in training ensure everyone is always on their toes. Whether that's for his club or when he's been called on for Scotland in this campaign. Ralston said: 'In my situation, like a few other boys, there wasn't always the guarantee that you were going to train through the week then get a game at the weekend. 'But if I were to not put the performances in or work hard in training, then when the opportunity comes along, I'd only be letting myself down. 4 'I wouldn't be able to take it, ultimately. 'So I've kept professional, kept my head down and trained every day. 'Then, when opportunities have come, hopefully I haven't let myself down. That's all I've tried to do. 'It's the same with Scotland. If I don't do the basics right and be professional in my job every day, then I don't take my opportunities and that might not be there either. 'It's more than worth it just keeping your head down and being professional. 'The gaffer has put me in these last couple of games. 'My aim is just to try to do my job for the team. I don't look too far ahead. 'We've got an amazing squad, we've been so successful this season. I'm really happy to be part of it.' It's also one of the reasons he thinks they were able to sweep David Gray's Hibs side away despite the game being meaningless as far as the league goes. After Martin Boyle put Hibs in front, the Hoops hit back in the space of the final four minutes of the first half as goals from Nicolas Kuhn and Adam Idah had them ahead at the break. Reo Hatate's strike on the hour mark ultimately killed things off. Ralston added: 'The message beforehand was we needed to continue to be professional and get the job done. 'It's another game of football for us, but we've still got a lot to play for until the end of the season. 'You can't switch on and off at this level. The message was clear — that we're going to play the same as we have through the season. I was glad we did that as a team. 'With the mindset in terms of what's drilled into us on a daily basis in training and how we operate, it's very hard to do the opposite. 'You would need to purposely try to not be professional and not take things as seriously. 'As a group we're just not those types of boys. 'We are very professional in how we go about our business. We know there's a lot to play for. You can't switch it on and off. 'So starting with Saturday, we were just going to get the job done. That's it.' Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Daily Record
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Anthony Ralston declares ultimate Celtic wish as lifelong fan opens up on his future
The Scotland right-back has been on the books at Parkhead since the age of eight Winning trophies isn't something that Anthony Ralston will ever take for granted. Especially when he's lifting them with his boyhood club. The Celtic diehard is living the dream playing with the team he has always supported. As a kid, the Bellshill-born Bhoy had only one ambition - to pull on the famous hoops. Now 26, Ralston has done it all at Celtic Park since rising through the ranks nine years ago. But the feeling of getting his hands on silverware and celebrating with his loved ones never gets old. The defender is loving every minute of his recent run of games as a stand-in for Alistair Johnston. The academy graduate has been as solid as ever and is a hugely valued member of Brendan Rodgers' squad. Sure, Ralston would prefer more game time than he's had this term. But when he does get the opportunity to represent the club, Ralston knows he's playing for a cause. He only needs to glance up at the stands to see his family and friends bursting with pride. That's why he'd never angle for a move elsewhere, as he looks to follow in the footsteps of James Forrest and Callum McGregor by becoming a Celt for life. He said: "I've been here all my life. I've been here since the age of eight years old and worked all my life to be a Celtic player. "I'm a Celtic fan, I come from a Celtic family. So days like Saturday, playing at Celtic Park, my friends and family coming to the game... I mean, I'd be silly to say that I want anything else. "Of course, you want to be playing and I'll continue to keep my head down and work for that. But you know, Celtic's my job and this is where I love to be. "The sun's beaming down, I'm playing a game of football at Celtic Park. If you'd said when I was a kid that that was what I was going to do, then I wouldn't have believed you. I never take it for granted." Ralston's career could've turned out so differently before Ange Postecoglou handed him a lifeline at Parkhead. It wasn't that long ago that the right-back found himself farmed out on loan with St Johnstone - who are now battling for Premiership survival. Now, the Scotland international is about to pick up the 14th major honour of his career, with another clean sweep also within touching distance. Ralston has butterflies in his stomach when he thinks about the upcoming Trophy Day celebrations. But with a Scottish Cup Final also on the horizon, the homegrown talent is determined to stay focused. He said: "Aye! You know, I never take them for granted either. My family will all come along to that and we'll enjoy that day when it comes. "But we still have another game on Wednesday to take care of before that, so that's it." It says a lot about Ralston's mentality that he's always ready to step up when called upon, and never lets his teammates down. He said: "In my personal situation and a few other boys, there isn't always the guarantee that you're going to train through the week and get the game at the weekend. "If I were to not put the performances in or work hard in training, then when the opportunity comes, I'd only be letting myself down because I wouldn't be able to take it, ultimately. "So I've just kept professional, just kept my head down and trained every day." Celtic haven't taken their foot off the gas since wrapping up the league, nor would their demanding gaffer allow them to cruise in second gear. Rodgers has set his Treble-chasing team a string of targets and records to smash through in the remaining games. Saturday's 3-1 win over Hibs saw them equal the 106 league goal tally set by Rodgers' Invincibles in 2016/17. But the 111 goal milestone by Jock Stein's all-conquering Lisbon Lions is also on the four-in-a-row champions' radar. They have two games left to make even more history, with a trip to Pittodrie on Wednesday followed by the Premiership curtain-closer at home to St Mirren. Ralston said: "We've been reminded of that, what our targets are and what we want to achieve. "We want to beat records. We want to keep pushing. There's never nothing to play for. There's always goals you want to achieve. "We're getting closer to that target. We've got a few games left to complete, some achievements and targets that we've got. "We did well to get closer to the ones today and we just need to keep going again on Wednesday. "Obviously, we want to finish the season off as strongly as possible and make it really memorable. We know what we need to do in order to do that. "But it's already been a magnificent season for the boys in the squad and everybody involved. So we double down now even harder to finish it off as strongly as we can."
