First Team
Ralston joins on-loan
2nd September 2019
The Club is delighted to announce the signing of Celtic full-back Anthony Ralston on a season-long-loan.
The 20-year-old right-back joins Saints having come through Celtic's youth academy and enjoying previous loan spells with Queen's Park and with Dundee United in the Championship.
Anthony has made 18 appearances in all competitions for Celtic including in the UEFA Champions League and signed a long-term deal with the Scottish Champions back in December 2017 which runs until May 2022.
The highly-rated youngster has also been capped at Scotland U21 level and will wear the number 21 jersey this season.
Speaking to the club's official website today, Anthony said he was delighted to be in Perth and was already looking forward to playing with his new teammates.
"I'm really pleased," he said, "it's been on the cards for a while now but just happy it's all finalised and that I'm here for the season.
"Obviously being at a club like Celtic is great and it's a fantastic environment to play football. Hopefully I can use that experience here to help St. Johnstone move forward.
"I want to win every game I play in. I'll give my all to help defensively first and foremost but hopefully I can contribute at the other end as well."
On his new boss Tommy Wright, Anthony added: "The Manager was really keen to get me here and that was important for me.
"I was also really keen and I want to show what I can do while I'm here. I know quite a few of the boys already and they've all been very welcoming since I arrived at training this morning.
"I can't wait to get out there playing for the club and hopefully I can make my debut against Aberdeen after the international break."
Saints Manager Tommy Wright also spoke to the official website about his Deadline Day recruit, saying: "I'm delighted to have Anthony in and it's a deal that's been agreed since last week.
"Celtic needed Anthony for their Europa League match with AIK last week and for the game at the weekend but we were able to get the deal done today and I think it's a good piece of business for us.
"Anthony has played in big games for Celtic including in the Champions League and he'll add quality to the squad.
"Neil Lennon rates him very highly but he needs games and experience which he'll get here. Hopefully he does well and I'm sure it'll be a huge benefit to him long-term and for us short-term.
"Wallace Duffy can be proud of his performances in the first few games as he was thrown into the deep end a bit. Wallace initially joined as a back-up to Richard and as cover at centre-back but has done well in the games he's played.
"It's good to have competition for places which Anthony brings in that position and we're delighted to get him in."
You can watch exclusive interviews with The Manager and Anthony Ralston on Saints TV now!