Stephen McGinn thinks Celtic right-back Anthony Ralston is an example to young players.
The defender played 90 minutes in each of Scotland’s matches against Poland and Portugal in the recent international break. His performances split opinion.
The 25-year-old gave away a penalty in the first half versus the Poles, but then went on to set up Scott McTominay for his country’s equaliser with an effective low cross.
Ralston once more got the nod in Lisbon and dealt with the threat of AC Milan star Rafael Leao to an acceptable extent. He did have some tentative moments but, overall, was passable.
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Amidst his continual appearances for the national team, the defender’s performances are coming under the spotlight.
Stephen McGinn has weighed in on the debate, praising Ralston for his innate ability to bounce back from any mishaps.
“He is a credit to himself and an example to a lot of young players out there in terms of dealing with criticism and just going again,” the ex-Falkirk man told Go Radio.
“I have to say, for what Anthony Ralston goes through, in terms of the amount of people that tell him he’s not good enough to play with Celtic, he’s not good enough to play for Scotland, how robust that boy is, even when he made a mistake and gives a penalty away, I thought he responded really well.”
Bounce backs have been central to Ralston’s career. Before Ange Postecoglou arrived in Glasgow, the right-back’s Hoops tenure looked all but over.
He grasped his opportunity under the Aussie, though, and has never looked back. Now, he is a respected member of the squad who remains a dependable back-up option.
The manner in which he has turned things around is a testament to his mentality and attitude.
