Tony Ralston has asserted that Celtic's winning mentality and extensive trophy-gathering experience could provide them with a decisive advantage over rivals Hearts and Rangers during the intense Premiership title run-in. The defending champions secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory at home against St Mirren, maintaining their position just three points behind league leaders Hearts as they enter the final five post-split fixtures of the season.
Grinding Out Results When It Matters
While Ralston openly acknowledged that Celtic's performance levels in the match fell below their usual high standards, he expressed unwavering confidence in the squad's ability to clinch a fifth consecutive Premiership crown. "I'm not within the walls of other squads or in the other teams that are involved, but I am within our walls and within our changing room, and I know we have a strong mentality," Ralston stated emphatically.
Leadership and Collective Drive
He highlighted the pivotal role of captain Callum McGregor, describing him as possessing an elite mentality that has been demonstrated consistently over the years. "He's the one who leads us, and we have boys who are behind him, and we are all moving towards the same goal as a collective," Ralston explained. This collective honesty and determination were evident in games like the recent 1-0 win against St Mirren, where Celtic had to grind out a result under pressure.
Experienced Squad as a Key Asset
Ralston emphasised the depth of experience within the Celtic squad, noting contributions from players like James Forrest, Liam Scales, and recent addition Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. "We have a great squad in terms of having experience, not just myself. We have Cal, James Forrest, and also Liam Scales, who has been terrific over the last couple of years," he said. "We now have Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who is very experienced in terms of his own career, so we have a very experienced group, and we need to use that as much as we can."
Supporting Less Experienced Teammates
He stressed the importance of leveraging this experience to guide younger or less seasoned players through the high-stakes scenario of a title run-in. "We need to help the other boys who have not been in this scenario along the way and right to the finish," Ralston added, underscoring the team's supportive environment.
Personal Commitment Amid Limited Playing Time
Ralston, who made a rare start in the match against St Mirren, has found himself lower in the pecking order of right-backs this season, behind Alastair Johnston, Julian Araujo, and Colby Donovan. Despite this, he remains fully committed to the club. "Nobody would say they are satisfied when they are not playing," he admitted. "But this has been my club since I was a boy, so I am never going to let anyone down. I'm going to keep working and be ready whenever called upon."
His dedication reflects the broader team ethos that Celtic hopes will propel them to another league title, relying on a blend of seasoned veterans and resilient squad players to navigate the challenges ahead in the fiercely competitive Premiership.
