The Celtic revelation that changed everything for Anthony Ralston as Brendan Rodgers talks up swashbuckling start

Brendan Rodgers didn’t think twice when it came to throwing Anthony Ralston in at the deep end as a kid.

And the Hoops boss has no doubts the full back will make a splash for him again now he’s a man. Ralston is one of a handful of players who are still at Parkhead from Rodgers' first spell in charge, along with Callum McGregor, James Forrest and Scott Bain.

And the returning gaffer admitted he is chuffed to bits to see the defender’s journey at the club. Rodgers was blown away by Ralston as a youngster. He was just 17 years old but built like a tank with a fighting spirit to match. A defensive injury crisis meant the teenager had to be chucked into the side to face PSG – and a famous run-in with Neymar. Ralston famously grinned at the Brazilian after refusing to budge an inch and even though the Samba star had the last laugh, he came through the tough learning curve and seemed destined for the top. The path wasn’t so smooth though. There were injuries and changes at the club, and for a while it looked like Ralston would be heading out of Parkhead following loan spells at Dundee United and St Johnstone.

Ange Postecoglou’s arrival thrust him back into the picture though as thrived under the Aussie as a more-than-capable back up for Josip Juranovic and Alistair Johnston. Rodgers could be tempted to say, I told you so – but he reckons Ralston’s reinvention is down to the man himself.

And he’s convinced becoming a dad has been the making of the defender. Rodgers said: “I’m really pleased for him. When you go back to when I was first here – I put him in for a reason.

“I put him in because I thought he was a really good talent and a really good player. So much so I put him in against PSG.

“As time went on, maybe some