(Credit: Imago)

Evan Shaw

Sun 12 April 2026 16:30, UK

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Anthony Ralston proved his worth to Celtic with an assured display at right-back in their 1-0 win over St Mirren on Saturday.

The 27-year-old has been torn apart by fans at times this season, and he has seen his role within Martin O’Neill’s squad diminish drastically in the second half of the campaign.

The Scotland international hadn’t started a single game for the Bhoys since the 3-1 defeat to Rangers on 3 January, but that changed in the victory over St Mirren.

Julian Araujo and Colby Donovan were both ruled out of the clash due to injury, and with Alistair Johnston not quite fit enough to return, Ralston was given the nod.

The veteran put in a spirited display for O’Neill, and it may just be enough to see Celtic begin to put a summer transfer plan into action.

Anthony Ralston still capable of backup role at Celtic

Football Insider revealed at the end of March that Celtic will consider loan offers for Donovan this summer, in a bid to ensure that he continues to get regular Scottish Premiership football next term.

The 19-year-old is very highly regarded behind the scenes at Parkhead, and club chiefs are keen to avoid his growth being stunted at all by the other senior options in his position.

Johnston is expected to pick up the mantle as the first-choice right-back when he returns to full match fitness, while Ralston reminded everyone that he is perfectly capable of being a useful understudy on Saturday.

He made five defensive contributions and won over 70 per cent of his duels to help the Bhoys earn a valuable clean sheet, while also turning in a composed and assured defensive display.

Ralston’s efforts in his recall to the starting XI could have just taken Donovan one step closer to the exit door.

Celtic will be keen to ensure that the youngster doesn’t find himself as the third choice for next season, and with Ralston reminding everyone what he is capable of, that could be the final sign to convince the club to find a loan move.

Ralston’s performance changes everything at right-back

Football Insider previously revealed in February that Celtic would be willing to let Ralston leave the club at the end of the season, if he was keen to pursue a move to get more gametime.

The defender is set to enter the final year of his contract this summer, but his boyhood club have no intention of trying to force him out the door unless he wants to move on.

Ralston will surely have been unhappy with his recent lack of football, but his latest display could have potentially changed everything in regard to the right-back situation.

He has proven to himself that he is still capable of competing for a place in the XI, and that could be enough to make him decide to stay put and continue fighting for his shirt in 2026-27.