Anthony Ralston
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Anthony Ralston[1] | ||
Date of birth | 16 November 1998 | ||
Place of birth | Bellshill, Scotland | ||
Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[2] | ||
Position(s) | Right-back | ||
Team information | |||
Current team | Celtic | ||
Number | 56 | ||
Youth career | |||
2007–2015 | Celtic | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2015– | Celtic | 79 | (6) |
2015–2016 | → Queen's Park (loan) | 10 | (1) |
2018 | → Dundee United (loan) | 11 | (1) |
2019–2020 | → St Johnstone (loan) | 22 | (0) |
International career‡ | |||
2016 | Scotland U19 | 6 | (0) |
2017 | Scotland U20 | 5 | (0) |
2017–2018 | Scotland U21 | 5 | (0) |
2021– | Scotland | 18 | (1) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19:38, 22 December 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 22:06, 18 November 2024 (UTC) |
Anthony Ralston (born 16 November 1998) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a right-back for Scottish Premiership club Celtic and the Scotland national team.
Club career
[edit]Part of the youth system at Celtic since the age of eight,[3] Ralston made his debut for the first team on 11 May 2016, in a 2–1 defeat against St Johnstone.[4] He scored his first goal for the club in a 5–0 Scottish League Cup win over Kilmarnock on 8 August 2017.[5] He made further appearances early in the 2017–18 season, including a UEFA Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain,[6] but then suffered a knee injury in late September.[7] Ralston signed a long-term contract with Celtic in December 2017, with the deal due to run until the end of the 2021–22 season.[7]
On 16 March 2018, Ralston joined Dundee United on an emergency loan until the end of the 2017–18 season, a side challenging for promotion from the Championship up to the Premiership.[8] He made his debut on 20 March, in a 3–2 loss in the league to Queen of the South.[9] In 15 appearances, he helped United reach the semi-final play-off for promotion, scoring two goals, albeit the side lost to Livingston in the semi-final play-off.[9]
On 2 September 2019, Ralston moved to St Johnstone on a season-long loan.[10] Upon his return from the St Johnstone loan, Ralston played in only one game for Celtic during the following season, coming in a 0–0 draw against Livingston when several squad regulars were missing due to a Covid-19 isolation issue,[11] and when centre-half Kristoffer Ajer then loanee Jonjoe Kenny were selected at right-back ahead of him following the sale of Jeremie Frimpong, it appeared his time with the club would be coming to an end.[12]
At the start of the 2021–22 season under new manager Ange Postecoglou, Ralston signed a contract extension until May 2022 and started in both legs against FC Midtjylland in the UEFA Champions League second qualifying round.[13][14] Media outlets praised his performances in the early part of the season, following goals against Hearts and Dundee.[15] On 2 November 2021, he signed a new long-term contract with Celtic, keeping him at the club until 2025.[3][12]
On 15 December 2021, Ralston headed in a 97th-minute winner against Ross County in a 2–1 away victory for a Celtic side that had been reduced to ten men.[16] It has been assessed as one of the most important moments of the season for Celtic as they went on to win the 2021-22 Scottish Premiership title, as the result kept them within touching distance of Rangers who were four points ahead in the table at that time.[17] At the end of 2022, Celtic signed Canadian Alistair Johnston who quickly became the first-choice right-back, with Ralston's role becoming that of a dependable back-up.[18]
On 26 September 2023, Ralston signed a new four-year contract with Celtic, keeping him at the club until 2027.[19]
International career
[edit]Ralston was involved with several Scotland youth squads up to the under-21s.[20]
Selected for the Scotland under-20 squad in the 2017 Toulon Tournament,[21] Ralston played as Scotland beat Brazil under-20s 1–0, which was the nations first ever win against Brazil at any level.[22] The team went on to claim the bronze medal.[23] It was the nations first ever medal at the competition.[24] Selected for the under-21 squad in the 2018 Toulon Tournament.[25] They lost to Turkey under-21s in a penalty-out and finished fourth.[26]
In November 2021, he was called up to the senior squad for the first time ahead of a 2022 World Cup qualifier against Denmark, as a replacement for the suspended Nathan Patterson.[27] He made his international debut in the match[28] as a late substitute for Kieran Tierney.[29] On his second Scotland appearance he scored his first international goal during a 2022–23 UEFA Nations League group match against Armenia.[30]
On 7 June 2024, Ralston was named in Scotland's squad for the UEFA Euro 2024 finals in Germany.[31] A week later, he started the opening match of the tournament, where Scotland lost 5–1 to hosts Germany.[32] He went on to start in both the second match against Switzerland and the third against Hungary as Scotland finished bottom of Group A with one point from three matches.[33][34]
Career statistics
[edit]Club
[edit]- As of 25 August 2024 (UTC)[35]
Club | Season | League | National Cup | League Cup | Europe | Other | Total | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
Celtic | 2015–16 | Scottish Premiership | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
2016–17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||
2017–18 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | ||
2018–19 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | ||
2019–20 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||
2020–21 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
2021–22 | 28 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 47 | 5 | ||
2022–23 | 16 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 0 | ||
2023–24 | 15 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 0 | ||
2024–25 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | ||
Total | 74 | 6 | 7 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 106 | 8 | ||
Queen's Park (loan) | 2015–16 | Scottish League Two | 10 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 14 | 1 |
Dundee United (loan) | 2017–18 | Scottish Championship | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 15 | 2 |
St Johnstone (loan) | 2019–20 | Scottish Premiership | 22 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 0 |
Career total | 117 | 8 | 10 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 16 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 159 | 11 |
International
[edit]- As of match played 18 November 2024[36]
National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
---|---|---|---|
Scotland | 2021 | 1 | 0 |
2022 | 5 | 1 | |
2023 | 1 | 0 | |
2024 | 11 | 0 | |
Total | 18 | 1 |
- Scores and results list Scotland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Ralston goal.
No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 8 June 2022 | Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland | Armenia | 1–0 | 2–0 | 2022–23 UEFA Nations League B |
Honours
[edit]Celtic
- Scottish Premiership (6): 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2021–22,[37] 2022–23,[38] 2023–24[39]
- Scottish Cup (3): 2018–19, 2022–23,[40] 2023–24[41]
- Scottish League Cup (4): 2018–19, 2021–22,[42] 2022–23,[43] 2024–25[44]
References
[edit]- ^ A Record of Post-war Scottish League Players 1946/47 to 2017/18. 7. John Litster and Scottish Football Historian magazine. 2018.
- ^ "Anthony Ralston". Celtic F.C. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
- ^ a b "Delight as Anthony Ralston signs new Celtic contract". Celtic FC. 2 November 2021. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
- ^ Davie, Scott (11 May 2016). "St Johnstone 2–1 Celtic". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
- ^ "Celtic 5-0 Kilmarnock". BBC. 8 August 2017. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
- ^ "PSG ace Neymar blanks Celtic teen Anthony Ralston as he tries to shake his hand". Daily Record. 12 September 2017. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- ^ a b "Celtic full-back Anthony Ralston signs deal until 2022". BBC Sport. BBC. 28 December 2017. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
- ^ "Anthony Ralston joins Dundee United on emergency loan". Celtic. 16 March 2018. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
- ^ a b "Tony Ralston - Player Profile". Arab Archive. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- ^ "Ralston joins on-loan". St Johnstone F.C. 2 September 2019. Retrieved 2 September 2019.
- ^ Watt, Martin (17 January 2021). "Celtic 0–0 Livingston". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
- ^ a b Pirie, Mark (2 November 2021). "Anthony Ralston signs Celtic contract extension as reward for early season heroics". Daily Record. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
- ^ Watt, Martin (20 July 2021). "Celtic 1–1 FC Midtjylland". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
- ^ Duncan, Thomas (28 July 2021). "FC Midtjylland 2–1 Celtic". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
- ^ Duncan, Thomas (18 August 2021). "Celtic: Tom Rogic & Anthony Ralston have revived careers under Ange Postecoglou". BBC Sport.
- ^ "Celtic beat County with last-gasp goal". BBC Sport. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
- ^ "How did Celtic win the Scottish Premiership? Five key reasons for Ange Postecoglou's title success". www.sportingnews.com. 5 November 2022. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
- ^ Galindo, Alan (17 October 2024). "Ralston has 'huge respect' of pundit as Celtic lack of games down to one reason". Daily Record.
- ^ "Anthony Ralston signs new four-year deal with the Hoops". www.celticfc.com. Celtic FC. 26 September 2023. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
- ^ Anthony Ralston at the Scottish Football Association
- ^ "Scotland squad for Toulon announced". Scottish Football Association. 17 May 2017. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
- ^ "Toulon semi-final spot would be a dream for Celtic youngster Anthony Ralston". Glasgow Times. 6 June 2017. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
- ^ "Scotland finish third at Toulon Tournament with 3-0 win". Scottish Football Association. 10 June 2017. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
- ^ "JULES AND HOLSGROVE TAKE BRONZE WITH SCOTLAND IN TOULON". Reading FC. 11 June 2017. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
- ^ "Scotland Under-21 squad announced for Toulon tournament". Scottish Football Association. 3 May 2018. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
- ^ "Scotland finish fourth at the Toulon tournament after shoot-out defeat to Turkey". Scottish Football Association. 10 June 2018. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
- ^ "Celtic's Anthony Ralston called for Scotland duty against Denmark". The Scotsman. 13 November 2021. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
- ^ "Scotland 2-0 Denmark: John Souttar and Che Adams fire Tartan Army to home World Cup play-off". Sky Sports. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- ^ Lindsay, Clive (15 November 2021). "Scotland beat Danes to earn home play-off". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- ^ Moffat, Colin (8 June 2022). "Scotland 2-0 Armenia: Anthony Ralston revels in special first start at Hampden". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
- ^ "Record-breaking goalkeeper Gordon out of Scotland's Euro 2024 squad". Reuters. 7 June 2024. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
- ^ "Ruthless Germany humble 10-man Scotland in Euro 2024 opener". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
- ^ "Scotland 1-1 Switzerland: Clarke's men keep Group A hopes alive". UEFA. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
- ^ "Scotland vs Hungary: Line-ups". UEFA. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
- ^ "A. Ralston". Soccerway. Retrieved 15 May 2016.
- ^ Anthony Ralston at the Scottish Football Association
- ^ "Dundee United 1–1 Celtic: Ange Postecoglou's side reclaim league title". BBC Sport. 11 May 2022. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
- ^ Watt, Martin (7 May 2023). "Heart of Midlothian 0–2 Celtic: Ange Postecoglou's side seal back-to-back titles". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
- ^ "Celtic crowned Scottish champions with game to spare". BBC Sport. 15 May 2024. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
- ^ Duncan, Thomas (3 June 2023). "Celtic 3–1 Inverness CT: Ange Postecoglou's side win Scottish Cup to claim treble". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
- ^ "Celtic leave it late to beat Rangers and win Scottish Cup". Reuters. 25 May 2024. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
- ^ "Hibernian 1–2 Celtic". BBC Sport. 19 December 2021. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
- ^ Moffat, Colin (26 February 2023). "Kyogo strikes twice as Celtic beat Rangers in final". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
- ^ "Celtic 3–3 Rangers: Line-ups". BBC Sport. 15 December 2024. Retrieved 15 December 2024.
External links
[edit]- Anthony Ralston at Celtic FC
- Anthony Ralston at Soccerbase
- 1998 births
- Living people
- Footballers from Bellshill
- Scottish men's footballers
- Men's association football defenders
- Celtic F.C. players
- Dundee United F.C. players
- Queen's Park F.C. players
- St Johnstone F.C. players
- Scottish Professional Football League players
- Scotland men's youth international footballers
- Scotland men's under-21 international footballers
- Scotland men's international footballers
- UEFA Euro 2024 players
- 21st-century Scottish sportsmen