UNDERSTUDY RALSTON ISN'T BRICKING IT

Mr Reliable’s preparing to step up again

- By Ryan McDonald

EVERY team needs a handyman. Celtic have got their bricklayer.

Anthony Ralston knows his role. He’s the guy boss Brendan Rodgers calls when a job needs done.

Ralston — nicknamed ‘The Brickie’ by fans - must be a manager’s dream.

The homegrown star is always ready to answer an SOS and never lets the club down. Now 26 and a Scotland international, he probably doesn’t get the minutes he deserves.

But the deputy right-back takes no pleasure in a window of opportunity opening due to Alistair Johnston’s hamstring injury.

The Canadian first-choice won't kick a ball until November after being stretchered off against Kairat Almaty last Wednesday.

Now Ralston has been tasked with stepping up in a £40million, winner-takes-all Champions League tie in Kazakhstan tomorrow followed by a massive Ibrox Old Firm derby on Sunday.

Despite his lack of game time, Ralston says he’s ready.

He said: “First of all, I’ve already done it in person with Ali, but I wish him all the best.

“You never want to see that happen to your fellow pros.

“It’s my job — and it’s the same with the rest of the boys — that, when you get an opportunity, you do your job for the team.”