SNS GroupAnthony Ralston has committed his long-term future to Celtic by signing a new four-year-deal.
The 24-year-old right-back has put pen to paper on a contract that will keep him tied to the club until 2027.
After coming through the youth ranks at Parkhead, Ralston made his first-team debut as a teenager at the end of the 2015/16 season.
The following season under Brendan Rodgers he made two appearances before making his Champions League debut against PSG at Celtic in the 2017/18 campaign.
After a string of loans, including at St Johnstone and Dundee United, he became a key-member of the Celtic team under Ange Postecoglou when he made 47 appearances as the Hoops won a Premiership and League Cup double.
He also scored a vital last minute winner away to Ross County that went along way to helping the club retain the league trophy they had lost the previous season.
Despite mostly being played as an understudy to Josip Juranovic and then Alistair Johnstone he played another 18 times in last season’s treble winning campaign.
He has already made five appearances this season, including the last 25 minutes in the 1-0 win at Ibrox earlier this month.
Overall he has played 90 games and scored seven goals for Celtic as well earning six Scotland caps under Steve Clarke.
Speaking to the official Celtic website after signing his new deal, he said: “I’m absolutely delighted, and it’s a great feeling to sign with your boyhood club on a new contract.
“It never gets old, that feeling of being able to put pen to paper to secure your future where you want to be.
‘Essentially, this is where I want to play my football and it’s another proud moment in my career.’
“I just put my head down every day and worked hard since I signed my last contract two years ago and it’s just been a case of going in, getting work done, doing my best for the team and helping to bring success.
“And I feel that, as a team, we’ve managed to do that, and within that players get their rewards, so like I say, I’m absolutely delighted to get it done.”
Celtic manager, Brendan Rodgers, said: “I’m absolutely delighted for Anthony. He was a young player who showed a lot of promise when I was first here.
“He came into the team and played some good games, and obviously he really kicked on when Ange came in and had that early spell where he played quite a lot, and you could see him grow from that.
“So, for me and the squad, I’m absolutely delighted. He’s a Celtic guy who’s come through the system here and I just think that when you have guys like that in your squad, you always get that extra wee bit out of them.
“When I spoke to him a little while back, he’s so happy to commit himself to Celtic.
“He loves being here, he loves being a part of the club and he loves being here and ready to contribute, and I’m very happy he’s decided to sign on.”
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