ANTHONY RALSTON picked up his THIRTEENTH winners’ medal after playing his part in Celtic’s Premier Sports League Cup Final success over Philippe Clement’s Ibrox side on an eventful Hampden afternoon.
The reliable back-up to Alistair Johnston was introduced to the action in the 71st minute after the Canadian international defender was forced off.
Ralston, who is likely to start in Sunday’s High Noon showdown with Dundee United at Tannadice, hasn’t allowed the over-the-top furore about VAR to take the gloss off a trophy success that earned the Hoops their 119th honour to seal their most successful club in the world status.
Now the 26-year-old Scotland right-back is focused on adding to his haul of fame and said: “As long as we won the trophy, I wasn’t really bothered about how we did it.
I’M IN CHARGE…Anthony Ralston is on the ball as Ianis Hagi challenges during Celtic’s win over the Ibrox club on the way to their 119th trophy success.
“Obviously, it was a dramatic ending. It’s about how much we wanted to win it in we pushed right through to the end.
“When it comes down to penalties, Kasper did make the amazing save and the boys who stepped up and showed the courage to take the penalty and put them away, is ultimately how we won it.”
The penalty-kick controversy after Liam Scales’ coming-together with Vaclav Cerny four minutes into extra-time has dominated some headlines, but Ralston, speaking to Celtic TV, insisted: “There was an onfield decision made from the officials which has nothing to do with us.
“At the time, I feel there wasn’t much said about it then obviously, given the result, there was more said. But I don’t think it takes anything away from winning the trophy.
“As players, and from a personal point of view, the main thing for us is that we got our hands on the trophy, which we did, and then everything that comes after that, especially in football, there’s going to be opinions and views, which is fine.
“But it’s nothing to do with us.”
Ralston didn’t spend too much time reflecting on his latest silverware triumph and continued: “Your success is very much put behind you very quickly and that’s what I’m saying in terms of thinking about medals, or how many you’ve got, or anything like that.
HIGH AND MIGHTY…Anthony Ralston is on top of the heap as Celtic players celebrate Daizen Maeda’s penalty-kick to seal their latest Hampden success.
“There’s just no time to do that and it’s about you’ve got the next one.
“There’s always a next challenge around the corner at a club like this and that’s why it’s put behind us – and we’re ready to go again.”
Ralston added: “We have come through such a busy period of games and the boys have done well in terms of grinding out results.
“It’s hard when you have such a busy schedule. When you are at a club of this magnitude there are no excuses or things you can put in the way of success.
“It doesn’t matter how many games you’ve got. We have a big squad and talented played to take on the challenge head on, whether it’s the Champions League, the league or the Cups.
“We got in to each game aiming to get a result and for the most part that’s what we’ve managed to do.
“We have another busy spell, but there’s no excuses – we’ll take it head on.
“Christmas is always busy, but if you come out the other side with results you are in a good place.”
