Anthony Ralston: Players will benefit from Portugal training camp

Anthony Ralston enjoyed his first match action at the weekend, playing the second 45 minutes of the friendly match against Estrela Da Amadora in Lisbon. And the defender is now looking forward to the next challenge, a match against the Portuguese champions, Sporting Club, this Wednesday evening (KO: 7.30pm). WATCH THE MATCH ON CELTIC TV And speaking to Celtic TV about the training camp in Lisbon, Ralston said: “The city’s got a lot of history with the club and it’s been nice to see a wee bit of it although that’s not the main reason why we’re here. “We’re here to work – but it’s been nice to see it. Portugal’s a beautiful place. “We’ve got a good run of training sessions so the gaffer and the coaching staff can implement the style of play they want played because not all seasons are the same. “You need to adapt your game so there are things which have been fine-tuned and getting the boys back into the swing of things. ‘And then there have been some new things added, which we’ve all had to get to grips with, and it’s been very clear what we need to do.’ “It’s nice to get everyone back together, and on the pitch it’s been hard work, it’s been tough, the boys have been putting the work in and it was good to get the first minutes in the legs as well. Off the pitch, it’s been nice to spend a bit of time together.”Part of that time of the pitch involved a visit to the Estadio Nacional, scene of Celtic’s greatest ever triumph when the Hoops defeated Inter Milan to win the European Cup back in 1967. Brendan Rodgers took the current Celtic squad to see the iconic stadium, and as a Celtic fan as well as a player, it was something Ralston appreciated. “To have been at the stadium and being able to do it with everybody here was special,” he said. ‘It was an amazing triumph and something that’s engraved in the club’s history.’ The players are being put through their paces in Portugal, with tough double training sessions. But Wednesday night’s game between the Champions of Scotland and Portugal, who also share a common bond in their respective green and white hooped kit – Celtic will wear the Hoops tomorrow – will be another great test for the squad as they continue their preparations ahead of the new season. “It was nice to get my first minutes into the legs at the weekend,” said Ralston, “and we’ve got another game coming up tomorrow and we’ll be ready for that. “It’s going to be a tough game but it’s the games you want to play in to get yourself ready for the upcoming season.” Watch the full interview with Anthony Ralston on Celtic TV SUBSCRIBE TO CELTIC TVUpcoming FixturesCeltic Vs. St. Mirren – Sun, Aug 8th 2025, 11:30