SORRY DANNY!

Ralston laughs off McGrain comparison but surpasses Celtic icon in scoring stakes

BEFORE Anthony Ralston first broke into the Celtic team, Brendan Rodgers claimed the youngster reminded him of someone special.

‘Ralston has a great chance,’ said Rodgers, reflecting on Ralston’s part in a 2017 Youth Cup final success. ‘He looks like Danny McGrain — but wider. In every sense! He’s very good.’

Five years on, Ralston is now established within Ange Postecoglou’s squad and a full Scotland international, yet he still wouldn’t dream of comparing himself with a true great such as McGrain. The 72-year-old set down standards that are all but impossible to replicate.

There is, though, one little aspect in which Ralston can claim the upper hand. Five goals last season raised his club tally to ten — including three from loan spells at Dundee United and Queen’s Park. That’s more than the nine McGrain managed over his 17-year spell as a marauding full-back in Celtic’s colours.

‘I hadn’t realised I’ve now scored more goals than Danny — I’ll need to mention it to him,’ grinned Ralston (below). ‘He’ll love that!

‘I don’t think I’ll ever reach Danny’s levels but at least that’s something I can have over him.

‘It was nice to get compared to him, of course, but the one thing I’ve never done is get carried away over things that get said.

‘I keep myself grounded and I have good people around me to keep my feet on the ground.

‘I’m not sure how Danny felt about being compared to me!’

Ralston’s attacking threat also delivered a goal against Armenia on his full Scotland debut in June, making him the first Celtic player in 39 years to achieve such a feat.

His value to Postecoglou’s title winners was even greater. Some key moments were included in his haul last term, none more so than a 97th-minute winner away to Ross County in December.

‘I managed to get a few goals last season and a couple of big ones — I’ll take it,’ added Ralston. ‘There were some individual moments but the most important thing is what we did as a team.

‘There were big moments throughout the season and everyone to a man stepped up. That’s why we are champions. We need to do it again and it’s about the team rather than individuals.’

Fresh from a training camp in Austria and the Czech Republic, Celtic enter the final fortnight of pre-season preparations by welcoming Blackburn Rovers to Parkhead this lunchtime.

Winning last season’s Premiership delivered a £40million Champions League windfall that helped fund the permanent additions of CameronCarter Vickers, Jota, Alexandro Bernabei and Benjamin Siegrist. It has also spared Celtic any anxiety about dealing with early-season qualifiers as they look ahead to group stage participation in September.

‘That’s the next step for us all as a team,’ said Ralston, who gained some Champions League experience under Rodgers. ‘We’ve got the group stages this season and we’ll come up against the best teams in the world. ‘We need to be ready for that challenge. There’s a lot to play for as always and we need everyone together. We’re on a good path.’