Celtic set to open new contract talks with Anthony Ralston

Celtic are preparing to open talks over a new contract for Anthony Ralston as the club look to tie down the right-back, according to the Daily Record.

The 27-year-old is entering the final year of his current deal at Parkhead, and the Scottish Premiership champions are keen to extend his stay before it runs down further.

World Cup role with Scotland

Ralston was part of Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad at the World Cup and made his tournament debut as a substitute in the defeat to Morocco.

The defender has provided strong competition for Alistair Johnston in the right-back role at club level, and Celtic clearly see him as an important squad option going forward.

Ralston came through Celtic’s youth ranks and has since won eight league titles, four Scottish Cups and four League Cups with the club, making him a well-established figure in the Parkhead dressing room.

Other deals at Celtic Park

The Ralston talks come after Celtic handed Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain a new one-year contract. The former England international had signed a short-term deal back in February, and manager Martin O’Neill had wanted him committed to a longer-term arrangement for the new season.

Celtic moved to reward several players with new deals last season, including Luke McCowan and Liam Scales, as part of a wider push to keep their double-winning squad together.

O’Neill is also working to strengthen the squad further, with Celtic reportedly advancing in talks to sign Qarabag attacker Camilo Duran. The Colombian is expected to become one of the club’s first summer signings, in a deal understood to be worth around £2.5 million.

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