McAvennie tips Ralston for new role v St Johnstone as Celtic rocked by fresh injury ‘blow’
Frank McAvennie claims Anthony Ralston could be deployed as a centre-back when Celtic take on St Johnstone on Saturday.
The Parkhead icon, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, reacted after another Hoops injury blow.
On Tuesday, Celtic defender Stephen Welsh, 21, went off injured while playing in Scotland Under 21s’ clash with Belgium.
This could leave Celtic with a centre-back injury crisis ahead of Saturday’s semi-final.
Christoffer Jullien remains sidelined and Carl Starfelt was ruled out of action until after the current international break on 3 November.
With Starfelt and Welsh possibly doubts for Saturday’s clash, McAvennie claims it could fall to full-back Anthony Ralston to take their place.
“Yeah that’s a blow,” McAvennie told Football Insider correspondent Ben Wild.
“I’m just thinking what Ange could do at the weekend now.
“I’m wondering if Ralston can come across and play as a make-shift centre half.
“Obviously, it’s not ideal. But he’s had a good week and he’s high on confidence I should think.
“Ange might just say ‘listen kid I need you to do a favour for the team’.
“We have a few decent full-backs so it wouldn’t surprise me if one of them is played in the middle.
“I hope it doesn’t come to this in all honesty, it’s a big game. So hopefully we get some positive updates soon.”
Celtic are looking to beat the current holders of the Scottish League Cup to progress to the final.
The Hoops had won the trophy for four years in a row until St Johnstone’s triumph last season.
In other news, Celtic could lose up to £9m on a senior duo as they are told to sell ‘at any price’.