ANTHONY RALSTON looked as though he was about to blow a gasket as he celebrated Celtic’s Premier Sports League Cup penalty-kick triumph over Ibrox opposition at Hampden last season.
The silverware showpiece had swung one way and then another with the Hoops coming back from a goal down to lead 3-2 with just a handful of minutes to play in regulation time.
The drama heightened when Danilo headed in the equaliser to push the grand finale into an extra half-hour. There was no further scoring and then it was down to penalty-kicks.
Adam Idah, Callum McGregor, Arne Engels and Reo Hatate netted their attempts from 12 yards while Kasper Schmeichel repelled Ridvan Yilmaz’s low drive to his left to set up a nail biting crescendo.
All eyes were on Daizen Maeda as he stepped forward to sink an impeccable finish to Jack Butland’s right as the keeper took off to his left. And with that swish of his right foot the Cup was won.
HAMPDEN ROAR…Anthony Ralston celebrates Celtic’s penalty-kick shoot-out success in last season’s Premier Sports League Cup Final against Rangers.
Cue euphoria on the pitch as the players raced to hug the Japanese speedster and the fans celebrated wildly in the stands.
A year – minus a day – the Hoops will defend their trophy against St Mirren at the same venue this afternoon.
And it’s an entirely different outlook with Wilfried Nancy in the dug-out instead of Brendan Rodgers and the team going into the showdown on the back of two consecutive defeats against Hearts and AS Roma.
Last season, Celtic were squaring up to Rangers following eight successive domestic wins and in high spirits.
Ralston, in pursuit of his 15th honour, accepts he and his team-mates have another mountain to climb and conquer against a determined and stubborn Paisley outfit.
The 27-year-old right-back said: “When you’re at a club like Celtic, it demands success at all times. What external things are going on, or anything else, it demands success. Everybody deserves it.
“We’ve got an amazing opportunity as a club, as a collective, to get our first piece of silverware this season. We’re ready to do it. It’s important we all stay together because we all want the same thing.
BY THE RIGHT…Daizen Maeda tucks away the Cup Final winner.
“It’s what we’re built on. Over recent times, we’ve done it time and time again.
“We’ve got an amazing group of players, an amazing group of experienced players, talent everywhere and a real hunger to go and get success for the club.
“That’s in all departments. We’ve got an amazing captain, Callum McGregor, and we’ve got experienced players such as Kasper Schmeichel, Liam Scales and myself also there to help.
“Then we’ve got very experienced coaching staff – great coaching staff who have come in – and their ideas also. It’s about adapting to the situation. It’s a challenge we have, but it should be seen as a positive and be prepared to meet it head on.”
Reflecting on the disappointing two back-to-back losses, Ralston, speaking to the Daily Record, continued: “It’s not something we’re going to accept as a group.
“Regardless of change or anything like that, you’re a footballer and you need to adapt. So, that’s what I want to say first and foremost, as a squad we know we need to be better.
“We need to stand up in these moments and these types of games. We’ve shown we can do that. It’s about analysing the performance quickly because now we’ve got a massive game round the corner, putting it to bed and going on to fight on Sunday.
TOP OF THE PILE…Anthony Ralston joins the Celtic pyramid of joy after Daizen Maeda’s decisive penalty-kick.
“Roma are a top side. It’s a great learning experience for some of the lads. But we don’t accept it. They’re a great team, but so are we. We have to show that and when we get the opportunity again we need to do it.
“As a footballer you need to adjust. There’s been a change of manager, a change of staff and there’s been a slight change in the system. But it’s the same group of players we’ve got who have brought so much success to the club.”
There is the possibility of Kelechi Iheanacho starting at Hampden after the Nigerian international frontman returned in the second-half against the Serie A cracks following a 10-game injury lay-off.
Scotland’s World Cup defender welcomed the comeback of the former Manchester City and Leicester City forward and said: “Kelechi’s a great player. He’s another one who has got experience.
“He’s been there, seen it all and done it. When he came on I thought he was brilliant. Holding up the ball, also giving us that out ball and showing fight.
“It’s good to see him back to full health and he can help the team.
“It’s about us at the end of the day. We focus on what we want to do and how we want to play.
“Do that and everything else will take care of itself.”
*DON’T miss the unbeatable match report and best action images from Celtic v St Mirren this afternoon – only in your champion CQN.
MERRY CHRISTMAS! ORDER NOW AND GET £5 OFF! Celtic Confidential is the stunning new book that brings the exclusive inside stories behind the headlines. Alex Gordon’s sixteenth Celtic book is available NOW. Order a copy and get £5 OFF the cover price of £25. All is revealed in a sensational new publication. Just click SHOP HERE and your book will be on its way. Happy Festive reading everyone!
