News that Celtic have decided to take up the 12 month option on Tony Ralston’s contract didn’t go down well with many Celtic supporters.
There was virtually no personal anger aimed at the player but after trailing behind Hatem Abd Elhamed, Jeremie Frimpong, Kris Ajer and Jonjoe Kenny for a game at right-back last season Ralston’s sudden promotion doesn’t suggest a brand new era opening at Celtic.
It is almost four years since the teenage defender famously clashed with Neymar in the Champions League, since then his career has tailed off dramatically with no obvious structure to his development.
Ralston finished the 2017/18 season on loan at Dundee United, before Lockdown he made 22 appearances on loan at St Johnstone after Celtic brought in Elhamed, Frimpong, Moritz Bauer and Lee O’Connor during the same transfer window.
O’Connor has returned from a season on loan at Tranmere Rovers and appears to be competing with Ralston for the right-back slot with Ange Postecoglou arriving this week to see how things are on the ground.
CLICK HERE for Ralston’s new Celtic contract, December 2017.
Sherel Floranus (22) played 29 times with Heerenveen in Netherlands.
Sofiane Alakouch (22) played 22 times in Ligue 1 with Nimes.
Anthony Ralston (22) played once in SPFL with Celtic.
All RB & out of contract this summer, obviously we go with Ralston.
— Everything Celtic (@aboutceltic) June 20, 2021
I know he’s already at the club & is Scottish but come on, I’d like our club to be showing a little bit of thinking outside of the box.
Ralston isn’t good enough & hasn’t once shown any sign of being good enough.
— Everything Celtic (@aboutceltic) June 20, 2021
Worrying signs for me if Ralston is getting a new deal…
Making me think we’ll see the bare minimum of new players brought in?
Might be looking at the academy as well, but we’re in dire need of some ready to go quality?
— TheHoops? (@67_Celtic_1888) June 21, 2021
I have always liked him was never given a good run in the team mainly down to injuries and other players form. This is last chance for him new manager new start
— Darren McMullen (@mcmullen_darren) June 21, 2021
Struggling to understand this decision. We let Jozo and Hayes go last year after not taking up the option to give them an extra year, both contributed to winning the league. Ralston played once last year but gets an extension ????
— mCl GrY (@16_Gerry) June 20, 2021
He’s not good enough, but a new manager coming in will surely want all the depth he can get till he susses them out and gets his own players in. Hopefully won’t be needed and will leave next summer
— JG (@jmcg85) June 20, 2021
No harm to the guy but this mismanagement of our club is why things like this are happening.
— Spam Rogic (@SpamRogic) June 20, 2021
Should never be near the first team never mind giving him a new deal ?
— ?PaulS ? (@PaulStewart1988) June 20, 2021
I can’t believe he’s still at Celtic nevermind giving him an extended contract has big Ange actually seen him play ? ???
— Griff (@MildooWolf) June 20, 2021