PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Anthony Ralston |
| Date of Birth | 16 November 1998 (Age: 27) |
| Place of Birth | Glasgow, Scotland |
| Nationality | Scottish |
| Height | 1.78 m / 5 ft 10 in |
| Weight | 70–73 kg |
| Position | Right-Back / Defender |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Squad Number | #56 (Celtic) |
| Current Club | Celtic |
| Previous Clubs | Queen’s Park, Dundee United (loan), St Johnstone (loan) |
| International Caps | 27 |
| International Goals | 1 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 |
| Contract Until | — |
| Market Value | £1.5M |
The Frozen Moment
The Boston Stadium hummed with anticipation. June 2026. Scotland, having ended a 28-year wait to return to the World Cup, prepared to face Haiti in their Group C opener. For Anthony Ralston, the journey to the global stage had been one of patience and perseverance—from the Celtic youth academy to becoming a mainstay at his boyhood club, and finally to football’s greatest tournament.
When Steve Clarke confirmed his 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, Ralston was among the defenders selected. The 27-year-old Celtic right-back had just completed a season in which he made 24 Premiership appearances as Celtic won the title, contributing to a trophy haul that now included eight league championships. Now, he was preparing to represent his country on the biggest stage of all.
The moment carried special significance. Ralston had joined the Celtic academy at age eight and had spent his entire career at the club, punctuated only by loan spells. He had been part of the Scotland U20 side that became the first Scottish team at any level to beat Brazil during the 2017 Toulon Tournament—a feat that made him the only member of Scotland’s 2026 World Cup squad with a victory over the Samba stars to his name. Now, he was part of a squad aiming to make history for the Tartan Army.
As Ralston himself put it before the tournament: “For us, we’re a family, it’s a proud moment to be able to say you went to the World Cup for your country. It can never be taken away from you.”
Origins
Anthony Ralston was born on November 16, 1998, in Glasgow, Scotland. He joined the Celtic youth academy at the age of eight, beginning a journey that would see him spend the majority of his professional career at his boyhood club.
His progression through the Celtic academy was steady. He made his first-team debut as a seventeen-year-old in May 2016, a moment that marked the beginning of his senior career. He scored his first goal for the club during a League Cup win over Kilmarnock in 2017 and made his UEFA Champions League debut against a star-studded Paris Saint-Germain side the following month.
His talent was recognized early on the international stage. He was part of the Scotland U20 side that became the first Scottish team at any age level to beat Brazil during the 2017 Toulon Tournament. An 18-year-old Ralston, who had been handed his Celtic debut the previous month, said at the time: “It’s been the stuff of dreams for me after my first Celtic start and then beating Brazil.”
The Forge
Celtic (2016-Present):
Ralston’s career has been defined by his long association with Celtic. He has made 111 league appearances for the club across 12 seasons, scoring 7 league goals. His trophy haul is substantial—eight Premiership titles, five League Cups, and three Scottish Cups.
Loan Spells and Development:
To gain first-team experience, Ralston was loaned to Dundee United for the end of the 2017-18 campaign, scoring two goals as the club reached the Scottish Championship promotion play-off semi-finals. A season-long loan to St Johnstone followed in 2019, with Ralston making 24 appearances in all competitions for the Perth side.
His breakthrough at Celtic came under manager Ange Postecoglou during the 2021-22 season, when he became a regular starter. He made 28 league appearances that season and scored 4 goals, his most productive campaign in a Celtic shirt. He has been an established first-team player at the club ever since.
2025-26 Season:
The 2025-26 season saw Ralston make 24 Premiership appearances for champions Celtic, starting 14 matches and coming off the bench 10 times. He averaged a 6.82 season rating and collected four yellow cards. He also featured in the Scottish Cup, scoring one goal in two appearances, and appeared in European competition.
The Anatomy of His Game
Anthony Ralston is a right-back defined by his defensive reliability, work rate, and leadership. Standing at 1.78 meters, he combines physical presence with tactical intelligence.
In Possession:
Ralston is a composed presence on the ball. In the 2025-26 Premiership season, he recorded a pass completion rate of 81.82%. He is capable of contributing in the final third, with 15 assists across his career.
Out of Possession:
Ralston’s defensive contributions are significant. In the 2025-26 Premiership season, he kept 9 clean sheets in 24 appearances. He won 91 ground duels and 28 aerial duels, made 30 tackles, 16 interceptions, and 51 clearances. He conceded 18 goals at a rate of 1.25 per 90 minutes, a rate placing him around the 55th percentile.
Psychological Edge:
Ralston’s mental resilience is his defining quality. His career has been marked by patience—from the Celtic academy to loan spells, from being a squad player to a regular starter, he has consistently earned his place through hard work and perseverance. His leadership and team-first mentality have been praised. Before the World Cup, he said: “It’s a squad game. It’s going to be a tournament where we use the full squad and, to a man, we’re in it for each other.”
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (2025/26 Season)
| Competition | Apps | Starts | Minutes | Goals | Clean Sheets | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premiership | 24 | 14 | 1,300 | 0 | 9 | 6.82 |
| Scottish Cup | 2 | — | — | 1 | — | — |
| Europa League | 5 | — | 177 | 0 | — | — |
| TOTAL | 31 | — | 1,477+ | 1 | — | — |
TABLE B: Career (League)
| Season | Club | League | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | Celtic | Premiership | 1 | 0 |
| 2016-17 | Celtic | Premiership | 1 | 0 |
| 2017-18 | Celtic | Premiership | 3 | 0 |
| 2017-18 | Dundee United (loan) | Championship | 11 | 1 |
| 2018-19 | Celtic | Premiership | 4 | 1 |
| 2019-20 | Celtic | Premiership | 2 | 0 |
| 2019-20 | St Johnstone (loan) | Premiership | 22 | 0 |
| 2020-21 | Celtic | Premiership | 1 | 0 |
| 2021-22 | Celtic | Premiership | 28 | 4 |
| 2022-23 | Celtic | Premiership | 16 | 0 |
| 2023-24 | Celtic | Premiership | 15 | 0 |
| 2024-25 | Celtic | Premiership | 16 | 2 |
| 2025-26 | Celtic | Premiership | 24 | 0 |
| TOTAL | — | — | 144 | 8 |
TABLE C: International Record (2021-2026)
| Tournament/Competition | Apps | Goals | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Friendlies | — | — | — |
| UEFA Nations League | — | 1 | Scored vs Armenia, June 2022 |
| Euro 2024 | 3 | 0 | All group stage matches |
| World Cup Qualifiers | 3 | 0 | — |
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | — | — | Selected in squad |
| TOTAL | 27 | 1 | — |
TABLE D: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Celtic Debut | First-team debut at age 17 |
| 2017 | Celtic Goal | Scored first goal vs Kilmarnock |
| 2017 | Toulon Tournament | First Scotland U20 team to beat Brazil |
| 2018 | Dundee United (loan) | 11 appearances, 2 goals |
| 2019 | St Johnstone (loan) | 24 appearances |
| 2021 | Scotland Debut | vs Denmark, November 2021 |
| 2022 | International Goal | Scored vs Armenia |
| 2022 | Celtic Regular | Breakthrough under Postecoglou |
| 2024 | Euro 2024 Selection | Played all 3 group matches |
| 2025-26 | Premiership Winner | 8th league title with Celtic |
| 2026 | World Cup Selection | Named in Scotland squad |
What these figures reveal
is a player of remarkable patience and consistency. Ralston has made 144 league appearances for Celtic across 12 seasons, winning eight Premiership titles. His 2021-22 season—28 appearances and 4 goals—was his most productive campaign. His 27 caps for Scotland and selection for the 2026 World Cup reflect the esteem in which he is held by his national team coaches.
The Present Tense
Anthony Ralston is 27 years old and in the prime of his career. He is Celtic’s right-back, a Scotland international, and a World Cup participant.
The Celtic Story:
Ralston has been with Celtic since age eight and has become a mainstay in the first-team squad. In the 2025-26 season, he made 24 Premiership appearances as Celtic won the league title. He has won eight Premiership titles, five League Cups, and three Scottish Cups. His market value is estimated at £1.5M.
The World Cup Campaign:
Ralston was named in Steve Clarke’s 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, securing his place alongside other Celtic teammates. He prepared for the tournament with the Scotland squad in the United States, featuring in a 4-0 warm-up win over Bolivia in New Jersey.
Ralston has been in contention to feature against Haiti in Scotland’s Group C opener in Boston. He has set the team’s aim as reaching the knockout stage: “As a collective, to get out of the group is our aim. I don’t see why we can’t.” Scotland’s group also includes Morocco and Brazil—the latter a team Ralston has already beaten with Scotland U20.
International Record:
Ralston has earned 27 caps for Scotland since his debut on November 15, 2021. He scored his first international goal on only his second appearance, in a UEFA Nations League match against Armenia in June 2022. He was included in Steve Clarke’s squad for Euro 2024 and played in all three of Scotland’s group stage matches.
Ralston earned his 25th cap during a friendly against Japan in March 2026.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Anthony Ralston is defined by his journey from the Celtic youth academy to the World Cup stage. Born in Glasgow, he grew up as a Celtic supporter and has spent the majority of his career at the club.
His family has been a constant source of motivation. Before the World Cup, Ralston spoke of having his six-year-old daughter Mia in the United States to support him: “I’ve got a lot of family coming and my wee girl, which is amazing. Hopefully this is something which, in years to come, I’ll be able to share with her, in terms of photos and videos. We all have our own motivations and she is definitely mine.”
His leadership and team-first mentality have been recognized by his coaches and teammates. His commitment to the squad’s collective goal, regardless of his own playing time, reflects a player who prioritizes the team above individual recognition.
His international journey has been one of steady progression. From the U20 side that beat Brazil to the senior squad, from his debut in 2021 to playing in Euro 2024 and the 2026 World Cup, Ralston has earned his place through consistent performance and professionalism.
The Verdict from the Camp
Anthony Ralston, on his World Cup call-up:
“I think it’s a proud moment. I can speak on behalf of all the boys. For us, we’re a family, it’s a proud moment to be able to say you went to the World Cup for your country. It can never be taken away from you.”
Anthony Ralston, on Scotland's World Cup ambitions:
“As a collective, to get out of the group is our aim. I don’t see why we can’t. The gaffer has said it’s going to be a squad tournament.”
Anthony Ralston, on his motivation:
“We all have our own motivations and she [his daughter] is definitely mine.”
Anthony Ralston, on beating Brazil with Scotland U20:
“It’s been the stuff of dreams for me after my first Celtic start and then beating Brazil. We were buzzing after the Brazil game. We’re the first Scottish team to achieve that.”
Where Next?
Anthony Ralston is 27 years old and entering the prime of his career. He is established at Celtic, a Scotland international, and a World Cup participant.
For Scotland, he represents experience and depth in the right-back position. His World Cup experience—being part of Scotland’s first tournament since 1998—will be invaluable. He will be a valuable squad member for future tournaments.
For Celtic, he is a reliable presence and a long-standing servant of the club. He has won eight Premiership titles and remains a key part of the squad. His contract at the club ensures he will continue to be a part of Celtic’s ambitions.
His career trajectory is remarkable—from the Celtic youth academy to the first team, from loan spells to becoming a regular starter, and from the Scotland U20 side to the World Cup. He has earned his place through patience, hard work, and an unwavering commitment to his craft.
The boy from Glasgow who joined Celtic at age eight has become a Celtic mainstay, a Scotland international, and a World Cup participant. Anthony Ralston’s journey is a story of loyalty, perseverance, and the pursuit of excellence on football’s greatest stage.
