Tuesday 7 June 2016 11:40, UK
Anthony Ralston has signed a new three-year deal at Celtic that will keep him at the club until 2019.
The 17-year-old made his senior bow for the Hoops in the penultimate game of last season, getting 16 minutes in the 2-1 defeat to St Johnstone, and has now been rewarded for his progress.
Ralston spent the first half of the campaign impressing on loan at Queen's Park and the right-back was delighted to be given a fresh vote of confidence by the club.
"I'm over the moon," Ralston told his club's official website. "I was here only last year signing a two-year contract, so to be brought in a year into that to sign a three-year deal is a big achievement. I'm very proud.
"I've been a Celtic fan all my life as well so to sign a big contract for the club I've supported, makes me very proud and my family, who were all with me, are too. I'm really happy.
"I can't put it into words other than to say it has been unbelievable. From being such a young age coming to the club and working my way up I could never imagine back then that I'd be sitting here at 17 saying that I'd made my debut and signed a three-year contract, especially as a fan."
Ralston will now have to impress new manager Brendan Rodgers who has taken over at Celtic this summer after the departure of previous boss Ronny Deila.
Celtic's Head of Youth, Chris McCart, believes the youngster is up to the task and urged him to grasp the opportunity of a clean slate under Rodgers.
"Hopefully that gets recognised with our new manager and that's the same with all the players" McCart said.
"They've got to try to impress the management team and they now have a fresh start.
"There are no guarantees for Anthony but if he keeps on working hard then he'll give himself every chance."
