Anthony Ralston a different Celtic man under Brendan Rodgers this time as he aims to repay the faith

Anthony Ralston reckons he’s in a different place working for Brendan Rodgers second time around.

But the Celtic star knows that, in some aspects, it’s exactly the same. Having played once for Ronny Deila, Ralston was handed his sustained first-team breakthrough by Rodgers as a teen during the manager’s first spell in charge. The gaffer returned in the summer to find an individual who has changed fundamentally.

Off the park, Ralston’s now a proud father. On the park, he’s not wet behind the ears either with senior Scotland experience and a glut of nous gained with the champions. Rodgers spoke about these footballing and personal changes on his return and it meant a lot to Ralston to learn the boss had taken note. He said: “It’s really nice. As footballers we all have personal lives and family. I’ve got my wee girl and that’s the difference from when the gaffer was here previously. She’s my reason for what I do now. Everything is for her. The gaffer will relate to that too. The gaffer was here when I was younger and put a lot of faith in me. He gave me chances and, looking back, that was massive for my career.

“I’m very thankful for those chances. I’m now in a different place both in my personal life and here [Celtic] too. He has come in at this point and I’m very much looking forward to working with him. I’m delighted he is here.”

But Ralston also knows the job of fighting for a place in the side stays just the same as it was in his younger days. He added: “Back then I was in a different place, I was a kid trying to come into a team that was very hard to break into. I’m still fighting every day to do that. Nothing much has changed there but my football has evolved and I have learned as time has gone on. Hopefully I can