Willie Miller has criticised Anthony Ralston for his lack of energy as Celtic visited Aberdeen on Saturday. The Hoops returned to Premiership action after the World Cup with a 1-0 win.
Ange Postecoglou required captain Callum McGregor to net the Hoops’ winning goal away at Pittodrie. The midfielder marked his first appearance since October due to a knee injury with the only effort on 87 minutes. It was his second of the season across all competitions.
Celtic had failed to make good use of their utter dominance before McGregor emerged as the Bhoys’ hero late on. He scored with the Glasgow outfit’s 31st of 33 shots taken during the game. WhoScored only recorded Aberdeen as taking two from their 19.5% possession.
McGregor’s return to the line-up meant Postecoglou near-enough had his first-choice XI at Aberdeen. Only Josip Juranovic remained absent whilst representing Croatia in the third-place play-off with Morocco this Saturday afternoon after his key role during Qatar 2022.
The full-back’s absence meant Postecoglou fielded Ralston at Aberdeen for the Celtic star’s ninth game across all competitions this season. He has acted as Juranovic’s understudy for much of the campaign. Ralston has also only provided three assists over his outings so far.
Miller slams Ralston for ‘ambling about’ as Celtic sought a goal at Aberdeen
Ralston will likely retain his starting spot for Celtic’s next match at home to Livingston on Wednesday, December 21 with Juranovic yet to return from the World Cup. But his place in the XI thereafter may be in doubt without a strong and improved showing in midweek.
The 24-year-old failed to impress Miller with his determination to make an impact whilst Celtic’s trip to Aberdeen remained goalless. The ex-Dons defender criticised Ralston for a lack of desire to get about the affair and letting his levels drop before McGregor scored.
“Ralston has to move it a bit quicker,” Miller said on BBC Sportsound. “He is just ambling about the park. He needs to be sharper.”
Postecoglou would have noted some positive moments from Ralston but his overall role in Celtic’s win at Aberdeen was infrequent. The full-back also misplaced a number of passes and overhit a few crosses. But his link-up with Liel Abada during the second half was solid.
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