Celtic have announced that versatile youngster Anthony Ralston has signed a new four-and-a-half year deal with the club.
Ralston, 19, has agreed new terms with the Hoops that will see him tied to the club until 2022, after coming through the academy at Parkhead.
The young defender normally operates at right-back, but can also play in the middle of defence or further up the field on the right flank.
He has made seven first-team appearances this season as he battles with knee injury problems, and made his Champions League debut against Paris Saint-Germain.
Another first saw him net his first goal for the club, slotting home in a 5-0 win against Kilmarnock in the League Cup.
Speaking to the club’s official website, Ralston said: “It’s a great feeling to sign with the club I’ve been with since I’ve been young. This is where I want to be and I want to start playing more games. I’ve enjoyed getting a taste of it and I’m looking forward to the future.
”It’s great, with the length of the contract, to have that out the way and I can focus on the football side of things. It’s a great feeling and I’m delighted.
OPINION:
Ralston will be delighted with his new deal with his boyhood club amid his current injury problems, and can now get on with his recovery. The versatile youngster is said to be close to full fitness, and will be hoping for the opportunity to impress Brendan Rodgers again soon. The club will be happy to hand one of their academy players a new senior deal, and will just be hoping that Ralston can build upon his solid start to his professional career.