CeltsAreHere can exclusively reveal an image of Anthony Ralston taken today from a reliable source, showing the Celtic defender reportedly in a protective boot.
It’s the latest sign that the right-back faces a spell on the sidelines following the injury he picked up against Kairat Almaty.
Ralston played through the pain barrier in the goalless derby with Rangers, but was subsequently forced to withdraw from the Scotland squad ahead of their World Cup qualifiers. Now, with the protective boot confirmed, it looks increasingly likely he will be missing for a period as he recovers.
The timing could hardly be worse for Brendan Rodgers. Alistair Johnston was stretchered off in the Champions League play-off against Kairat Almaty with a serious hamstring problem and has already been ruled out for around 12 weeks.
With Johnston sidelined and Ralston now looking to be out, Celtic suddenly find themselves without both senior right-backs at a crucial stage of the season. That leaves 19-year-old Colby Donovan as the next in line, with the youngster expected to be handed a run of games in the first team.
Ralston has been a dependable squad figure for Celtic over the years, often stepping in during injury spells for Johnston and playing an important role in domestic fixtures. His absence will be a blow to Rodgers as the squad faces a hectic run of fixtures across league and Europe.
CeltsAreHere understands that while the full extent of the injury is still being assessed, the protective boot is precautionary but usually an indicator of several weeks out. The club will be hoping it is not a long-term problem, with the schedule already stretched.
For Celtic, however, the bigger concern is how to cope in a position that has suddenly gone from well-stocked to threadbare.
Supporters will be anxiously awaiting updates from Rodgers in the coming days ahead of Kilmarnock at Rugby Park, on Sunday. In the meantime, the sight of Ralston in a boot is another reminder of the injury problems piling up at Celtic Park at a crucial stage of the season.
Spl we hardly defend Colby Donavan good going forward maybe better than Ralston he will be try out with ball being aimed with high punts he also played centre half so ariel threat shouldn’t bother him its new wingers and getting a good understanding with our top two left backs injured it gives Colby a chance to develop an understanding with winger takes time or they just might click need something going our way they way pundits and some supporters are going on you would think we are bottom of league unbelievable only in Scotland and only with Celtic