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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Ben Banks

Celtic boss hails Hoops players 'who don’t get the opportunities they deserve' after making Parkhead 'sacrifice'

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou says Lanarkshire duo Anthony Ralston and Stephen Welsh are key to his plans - even if they aren't playing.

The right-back and central defender weren't picked to start in last Saturday's convincing 7-0 Premiership win over St Johnstone, as they maintained their six-point lead in first place with five games to go.

Postecoglou's men face Rangers in a huge Scottish Cup semi-final this weekend and every player will be key if they are to achieve success.

Ralston and Welsh - from Bellshill and Coatbridge respectively - are making sacrifices that go unseen when it comes to a matchday's action.

The 56-year-old boss: “It’s not just about game day. That’s the result of a week’s work.

"Boys on the bench who didn’t get on against St Johnstone – Nir Bitton, Yosuke Ideguchi, Anthony Ralston. Stephen Welsh wasn’t in the squad.

"James Forrest and Mikey Johnston. All those guys every day at training are producing fantastic levels.

“That means our preparation is where it should be and come game day, everyone is ready to perform. We don’t discount anyone’s effort.

“The ones who play get the applause and the accolades. But behind the scenes, my respect goes to the guys who don’t get the opportunities they deserve.

"They want to be part of something special and they always make that sacrifice.”

Follow Lanarkshire Live Sport on Twitter via @LanLiveSport, like us on Facebook or find us on Instagram for the latest sports news, pictures and video.

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