Tony Ralston wasn’t bothered by Neymar’s after match snub.
The £200m striker couldn’t accept a handshake from the 18-year-old as his own pettiness was exposed.
Talking with his hand over his mouth was typical of the Brazilian whose antics ensure that he’ll never be looked on as one of the greats despite breath-taking ability.
Ralston certainly got under Neymar’s skin with the £200m striker getting booked for diving midway through the second half.
The after match confrontation was captured by BT Sport but the local kid shrugged off the snub from his celebrated opponent.
“Everybody is different, so I won’t lose any sleep over it,” Ralston told The Sun. “ It wasn’t a big deal. I won’t dwell on that too much. I didn’t fear the likes of Neymar. I just knew I had to play my normal game.
“I prepared for facing him the way I’d prepare for any normal match. I did exactly the same routine. It’s just another man on the pitch you are playing against. I don’t put him on a pedestal. You just deal with it.”
Last night was just the fifth time that Ralston has started a first team match with Brendan Rodgers keen on the 18-year-old from the moment that he took over as Celtic manager.
Cristian Gamboa was brought in last season but from the start of the current term Ralston has been picked out to be developed into a first team player.
There were some tough moments during last night’s match but with that 90 minutes behind him his Celtic career can really take off and go places.
