Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has provided a positive update on Anthony Ralston ahead of the Champions League game with Anderlecht.
He said: “He [Ralston] has a slight tear of his meniscus which allows him to train and work. It won’t need an operation.
“He will be available for us to the weekend and then he will have that rest. We will see where he is at after the int break.”
Brendan Rodgers was talking ahead of his side’s second Champions League game of the current campaign.
They lost the first game 0-5 to Paris Saint-Germain at Celtic Park, which was their heaviest home defeat in Europe.
Ralston played the full 90 minutes against PSG and enjoyed a full-blooded tussle with Neymar, which led to the superstar refusing to swap shirts after the game.
The 18-year-old has also played in three of Celtic’s Premiership clashes and two League Cup games.
Rodgers acknowledged that the game against Anderlecht was crucial for both sides if they wanted aspirations of playing European football after Christmas.
He added that it wouldn’t be easy but that his team was looking forward to the challenge.
OPINION
This is a huge game for Celtic. if they can get a win in Anderlecht they’ll take a huge step towards playing in Europe after Christmas – one of Rodgers’ ambitions for the season. Likewise, if they lose they’re really going to be on the back foot. Confidence will be high after beating and keeping a clean sheet against rivals Rangers on Saturday, but this is their most important test of the season so far. Champions League qualification was always going to be a step too far this season, but getting into the Europa League is a real possibility. The work starts on Wednesday night. After that, it’s back to the Premiership and Hibernian, where it looks like Ralston will be available for selection.