The beard ages him, but Anthony Ralston will not be 23 until later this month. He was at Celtic throughout last season, but despite Jeremie Frimpong and Hatem Abd Elhamed departing in January and Jonjoe Kenny not enjoying great form, Kristoffer Ajer was moved to right back with Anthony missing out. He played only once, a 0-0 home draw to Livingston in January. The inference was clear: Anthony was fifth choice right back in an awful Celtic team.
Prior to that he had made 10 starts for Celtic, the first coming in 2017. 19 months younger than Kieran Tierney, comparisons were made – I remember writing that while we clearly did not have the wherewithal to develop a striker, we were able to produce full backs with bags of potential.
He was first choice on loan at St Johnstone until football was curtailed in March last year, then a ponderous year on the sidelines. Players do not always make it, I assumed Anthony’s progress went into reverse.
What he needs most now is games. The injury to Greg Taylor that moved Josip Juranovic left provided an opportunity for Anthony to compete at a level he seldom experienced before. This has brought some impressive goals, crosses and assists that were so lacking from the right last season.
Whatever your objectives for Celtic, developing players has to be part of the mix. We need to be able to develop the potential Anthony Ralston broke through with into someone who can spend years in the first team, or be sold on for decent compensation.
Fair play to the lad for turning his career around in the space of three months and to Ange for giving him the platform. Neil will have his own version of events about last season’s absence. This stuff is always complicated, anyone who thinks different has never been there. Whatever the reason, it now looks shaky.
147 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- »
JHB on 3RD NOVEMBER 2021 3:26 PM
Stop obfuscating
You’ve mentioned them selling their media rights for 40m and it giving them a huge advantage over us before. I asked you to explain how it would work twice and you disappeared
Some detail please, you needn’t even explain how it would benefit them, just how Celtic could do it.
If you’d really want a discussion about it something more than a grand and vague statement is needed
CELTIC40ME @ 2:50
You keep banging this drum, with the buns earning 40m a year from it. How would it work?
—–
Sorry, missed trying to answer your question “how would it work”. I have no definitive answer – it would I suppose develop over time with adjustments & accommodations along the way. I would suggest the Cinch challenge by TRIFC is thin end of the wedge. Ibrox, after all the horrors since 2012, want the SFA/SPFL off its back and dictating its commercial model. If they succeed, Celtic will have no alternative but to follow suit.
Of course both big clubs need someone to play against, so until another league set-up becomes available, the smaller clubs will get the crumbs from the table. Aberdeen, Hibs, Hearts will probably have modest media deals, the rest? – who knows.
Fair play to Tony Ralston, a well earned contract extension. With a new manager, some players progress and others regress.
The schedule up to January 2nd is unrelenting. We could really do with a few of the rarely used squad guys stepping up to the plate and delivering. Thinking McCarthy, Soro, and Chris J (when you’re ready big fella). Perhaps a few others as well.
Soro is a mystery. There is a genuine asset there , as we witnessed when Lenny gave him a shirt last year, but he cannot be showing up in training at all well. Would hate him to be this season’s Ntcham.
Won’t be a popular opinion, though the first team have regressed massively from that which scored 5 v sevco in April 17 and April 18.
Players who wouldn’t have gotten near that side will be amongst our better players now.
Think most fans have accepted that (consciously or otherwise) and we will probably see more youth coming through as a result.
CELTIC40ME
—-
Just to add – Celtic & TRIFC would of course market their own media-rights separately. The sums raised will be dictated by how much the supporters buy into it – however, it should be many times more than the payout from current broadcasters, i.e. £4m top prize for winning the title.
The answer to the Tony Ralston career conundrum would seem to be fairly obvious Paul 67 .
For whatever reason , Ange was able to do something with Ralston that Neil was not . Maybe something as simple as making AR feel loved , that he had a bright future , that ability doesn’t simply disappear? Get the young man back in the right mindset , give him a clearly identified role in the team system and provide appropriate coaching to enable him to achieve his potential .
JHB on 3RD NOVEMBER 2021 3:41 PM
If we opt out of collective rights bargaining, what games could we broadcast ourselves?
And who would we sell them to?
Who would pay to watch a league with 6 teams in it?
AN TEARMANN
“Must have been the stress of aw they late night buses.”
🤣😂😅
DAVID 66
“Cheers they never told me any of that. That sounds like every food known to man.
I will have to knock the bevvy on the head for a wee while to see what state my body is in in a few weeks or months.
Where you out of breath a lot?”
Geez, it is negligent of medical staff not to tell you what to do to prevent a recurrence, or what may have caused it in the first place. I suggest you do your own online research. There is a ton of information out there. I found that cutting out these foods had lots of other benefits too – it made for a much healthier diet. And I used to love crisps, muffins, croissants, biscuits, fast food hamburgers, cheddar cheese etc.
And no, I wasn’t out of breath. Maybe check with a pulmonologist for possible asthma due to an allergy? They can confirm one way or another in one visit. And yes, it is prudent to cut out the shandies for a while.
Good luck with it.
HH
GLENDALYSTONSILS on 3RD NOVEMBER 2021 3:55 PM
—–
“Necessity is the mother of invention”
I think that’s why Tony Ralston got a second chance. He has seized the opportunity – I salute him for that and wish him well. He is at least as good as the last permanent fixture, i.e. PC Lustig.
The same reasoning has seen Johnston re-emerge.. and by the same token, neither Soro, nor, Ajeti can be written-off.
JHB on 3RD NOVEMBER 2021 3:51 PM
CELTIC40ME
—-
Just to add – Celtic & TRIFC would of course market their own media-rights separately. The sums raised will be dictated by how much the supporters buy into it –
Buy into what? Paying to watch the games that they’ve already bought a season ticket for?
instagram blocked cos its been hacked
any fixes??
JIMDOM
I have no means of knowing how Soro is performing on the training ground to explain his recent lack of first team action.
I am however, well placed to judge his performances on the field of play and the sad truth is that in his last 2 or 3 outings, he was dreadful and indeed, a veritable liability.
I suspect that Ismael is way down the midfield pecking order as far as the manager is concerned.
All of which is a pity after such a promising start.
INIQUITOUSIV on 3RD NOVEMBER 2021 4:05 PM
Cheers will check it out on line, I have already started to make changes to my diet, but I know and want to make further changes.
HH
D :)
Hey Gents
I’m (possibly) taking my 10 and 12 year old Bhoys to the semi final on November 20th but I’ve never taken them anywhere other than CP.
Its a while since I was at an ‘away’ game and I wanted some honest opinion on whether our support will stand. In my 25 years of going home and away, we stood at away games and so if the kids can’t see there is no point.
Any views ?
JHB on 3RD NOVEMBER 2021 4:08 PM
Performances speak for themselves . We certainly didn’t buy a Croatian international RB as cover for Tony Ralston, and it will be interesting to see what will happen if we go for a similar quality LB in January .
Soro and Ajeti’s performances also speak for themselves but I’m far from convinced by what they are telling me . Soro has the energy without the game intelligence and Ajeti seems to have neither .
Tangbhoy,
take the weans, let them stand on the seats everybody else does it.
i dont know if you can piick the seats, , but the corner of the celtic end joining the north stand side is the best for viewing, dont go in the middle of the front ad the brigaders are there.
TANGBHOY on 3RD NOVEMBER 2021 4:28 PM
—————-
Hampden is much the same as CP with everyone sitting until we score
DAVID66 and INIQUITOUSIV
Be well gents.
HH!
Tony Ralston has benefited from Ange ball, The full backs are tucked in, under Lennon full backs were wing backs. Frimpong and Ralston are different type of player.
Ralston can tackle, can run all day and has developed a nose for goal.
In this team he is a upgrade on Frimpong
Pleased for Ralston. I admit I was one of the knockers.
But I hope if we’re giving him the benefit of the doubt we also give it to Greg Taylor, who before his injury, looked like he was slotting in well to Ange’s style of play.
CONEYBHOY
I disagree. The entire North and East stands are on their feet throughout Celtic games at Hampden. The only part of the stadium where you are guaranteed a seat is in the South (main) stand.
CELTIC40ME
—–
If the SPFL can sell rights on behalf of forty-two clubs – then Celtic could sell its own rights, if that option was available. I don’t know the intricacies of how it work, nothing is ‘on the table’ yet, but I believe it will happen, only question is when.
Scotland has roughly the same size of population as Yorkshire. We attempt to support 42 clubs, Yorkshire has 11 clubs across EPL/EFL four leagues in England…. something has to change here – you can’t please all of the people, all of the time .
As well as the Cinch stand-off – TRIFC has called the SKY deal “paltry”. If one club can ‘break’ the Cinch deal, and it’s looking very likely after recent court rulings, it will, in my opinion, set things in train to break other deals.
JHB on 3RD NOVEMBER 2021 5:29 PM
CELTIC40ME
—–
If the SPFL can sell rights on behalf of forty-two clubs – then Celtic could sell its own rights, if that option was available. I don’t know the intricacies of how it work, nothing is ‘on the table’ yet, but I believe it will happen, only question is when.
It’s not the intricacies, it’s the fundamentals. You don’t seem to have a basic understanding of media rights ownership
What would Celtic own?
Who would they sell it to?
How would they sell it?
Tony Ralston has done very well and deserved the new contract. He is reasonable sound defensively and offers a bit of physicality we are lacking at times. When he tucks into the middle of the pitch he can become over ambitious and his crossing needs to improve bigtime too. At 22 he still has a chance to kick on again with good coaching and game time.
I can’t stand signing squad players for millions of pounds while youngsters don’t get a look in. We should be promoting whenever possible. Some will drop off, some will become squad players and some will excel. None will cost millions that could be invested better IMHO.
HH
lla
@MarcoMolla
·
1h
Kawasaki and Celtic will soon agree on a deal for Reo Hatate🍀
CELTIC40ME
—–
I retire gracefully – you are the font of all knowledge!!!!
Celtic are close to completing a deal with Kawasaki Frontale for Japanese left-back Reo Hatate.
The 23 year old has 8 G/A this season & is part of the best defence in the J League where his side are running away with the title.
Afternoon fellow Tims, i just read an excellent article by James Forrest on Res 12. Is there anywhere i can financially contribute a wee bit to their fight?
tangbhoy- take the train to Kings Park or Mount Florida, the parking at Hampden is a joke ,enjoy
The League body and/or The SFA “own” the matches.
Based on participation and membership you get a share of the revenues by fulfilling fixtures.
Celtic dont have a product to sell.
Dear league we are broadcasting out match versus Aberdeen by ourselves.
No yi irnae.
CELTIC40ME on 3RD NOVEMBER 2021 6:08 PM
JHB on 3RD NOVEMBER 2021 5:29 PM
CELTIC40ME
—————-
JHB is there any subject whatsoever that your a Matter Expert ?
Dear Aberdeen we are broadcasting our fixture with youse, and we are keeping the monies.
Gies 50% then, “match fee”
naw,
ok, we irny playing then.
G-D on 3rd November 2021 6:41 pm
Afternoon fellow Tims, i just read an excellent article by James Forrest on Res 12. Is there anywhere i can financially contribute a wee bit to their fight?
Lambert 14 will be along shortly assist mate👍
Tony Ralston has been a late developer and has been one of our most effective players this season.
Coming thru St Ninians HS where he was the most down to earth of the Celtic youths was not the easiest for him I am reliably informed. Some of the glasgow wide boys and sand dancers who will never make it would think Tony Ralston was too much of a company man. He has shown them , the doubting Celtic support ( and Lennon the mercenary—- not Neil) that he has a future at the club.
Well done to Tony Ralston. I admire players who never give up and have that fighting spirit for our cause.
He also sticks up for his teammates who have endured brutal assaults ignored by cheating refs.
Thanks for the various replies to my question earlier. Appreciated.
https://www.irishpost.com/news/former-british-soldier-military-funeral-223257?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=trending
Subject Matter Expert. You say.
This year I have noticed that term attached to some people’s e mail signature. A bit pretentious I would have thought. However when in Rome.
HH,
Greenpinata SME.
Tragic passing of a decent man, but good lord the rewriting of the history books is grinding my gears.
Smiths first full season was Rangers 4th of nine . He won the rest with a spend north of £50m while his biggest rivals were going through their darkest days.
Not just the highest spend in Scotland mind, but in the whole of the UK at the time, resulting in a win rate worse than Ronny Deila . With pitiful results in Europe along the way (grasshoppers, Strabourg). He was effectively sacked to make way for wee dick
He was fired from Everton after regularly languishing in the bottom half of the table
He won 7 from 16 as international manager.
His run to Manchester UEFA cup final would have got football stopped .
He appeared to be a good decent man, but holy god, comparisons with Stein and Ferguson as i heard today are laughable