'We are trying, it is difficult' - Celtic player addresses question over belief in Wilfried Nancy system

Anthony Ralston is currently enjoying a run in the Celtic side although enjoying might be the wrong word to use. He has started the last five matches having been a substitute in the opening two games of Wilfried Nancy’s reign. He was not summoned from the bench in the Frenchman’s first outing, a 2-1 loss against Hearts.

But ever since then, he has become an ever more integral part of the team, which might not necessarily be viewed as a welcome development at present. Especially when he is the one given the task of defending the indefensible. Ralston drew the short straw after Celtic’s latest defeat on Tuesday against Motherwell. He was sent out to face the media.

It was a defeat that felt more significant than just the failure to take the three points that would have taken Celtic level with Hearts at the top. It was suffered in such abject manner that it really did feel like they were back at square one having exhibited signs of life against Aberdeen and Livingston.

Celtic's Anthony Ralston in action during the 2-0 defeat by Motherwell at Fir Park. (Photo by Ross Parker / SNS Group) | SNS Group

But even these two wins included conceding a goal against ten men in the case of the former and going one down within three minutes against the worst team in the league in the latter. Nancy’s first game against Hearts already feels like a long time ago. Celtic fans are visibly ageing.

Ralston did his best to provide some insight into life at the club right now. It was notable that he steered away from mentioning Nancy to any great extent. His line was the “togetherness” of the team, and he was damn well going to stick to it. He returned to this theme again and again in the space of a six-minute interview. This quality, he stressed, would stand them in good stead against Rangers this weekend.

The visit of their Ibrox rivals, who have been stumbling from crisis to crisis themselves in recent months, is must-win. Not just because Old Firm fixtures always are but also because Celtic need to try to keep hold of leaders Hearts’ shirt tails. How has it come to this?

Well, changing the manager is mid-season is always a risk. Doing it twice, particularly so. Especially when the newest man is wedded to a system that not only requires the right players, but also time to set in place. Ralston was asked if he and the players have fully signed-up to the new manager’s beliefs about tactics and his commitment to playing three-at-the-back. Ralston is now being recast as a right centre-half aged 27.

Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy (left) shakes the hands of Anthony Ralston as he is substituted during the 2-0 defeat by Motherwell at Fir Park. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group) | SNS Group

“We are trying, every day we get a chance on the training pitch, to implement it, to practise it,” he said. “Because like I say these things take time and within games we are also trying to implement this style of play the gaffer is asking us to do. The games are every three days. It is difficult, we are all aware of that.

“But like I said previously, there are no excuses in football, especially at the top level and at a club like Celtic. The boys are trying to make it work as quickly as possible."

One reaction to hearing this was to think, well, given the team have now lost five of Nancy’s seven matches, maybe it’s time for the gaffer to stop trying to implement this style of play, because it clearly isn’t working. However, that doesn’t seem likely. We all know the definition of insanity. Doing the same thing again and again.

Celtic's record under the new manager was put to Ralston. Supporters will be wondering what the future holds given performances have been so disjointed.

“It is not for me to sit and say all the answers,” responded Ralston. "But what I can say? Like I said previously, togetherness as a unit and as a team is something we do have. It’s the most important thing, especially in a period like this, that you don’t become disjointed as teammates or within the club or anything like that. That is going to stand us in good stead to then try and keep implementing what we are getting taught and being told to do. It is important that we stick to that because that is what you need to do as a professional.”

Ralston’s mantra seemed to be that the players are all good enough to navigate their way out of this tricky period, and, of course, they are good enough.

“We have had a lot of changes as a team and as a group of players, staff included, all within a season and in the middle of a very busy period,” he said. “As a team we have immense talent and we have immense experience and above all else, as I started with, we have togetherness.

"That’s never going to fade, that’s never going to go away. And that’s what we feel as a group every day in training and in games. Results haven’t fallen for us, we take ownership of us. But it does need to turn around.”