Even a draw away to Motherwell today, for instance, would be treated like a disaster of sorts, and the sooner that dawns on those coming in from the outside who are not used to operating in such a pressurised environment, the better their chance of being successful here on both an individual and collective level.

Being a Scot – and even better, as in Ralston’s case, a lifelong fan of the club – isn’t enough, but allied to hard work and ability, it can be a huge asset for any Celtic player.

“Being here is extra special for me,” Ralston said.

“I’m a Celtic fan, I come from a Celtic family. I grew up around Celtic being the main thing. I used to go to all the games with my uncle and ball-boyed all the games after that.

“It’s crazy to think that way now, being a player, but looking back they’re great memories and it’s more special being here as a Celtic fan.

“You also need to put that to one side as much as you can, do the best for the team and play as a footballer, which I think I do ok.

“For the boys coming in from different backgrounds they have to quickly understand what it’s like here, and the demands and the success that the club wants.

“They can see that through the likes of myself, Callum (McGregor), Greg (Taylor) and others. But the ones who have come in have quickly adapted to those demands and what’s required to play at a club like Celtic. So, we’re in a good place.

“I do my best to speak to the new boys and welcome them to the club. If players are coming here and moving away from their families, or even if their families are making the move with them, it can be difficult.

“You just try to help them settle in as best as possible as someone from around here who has got his family here. So myself, Callum and Greg have all tried to help them as much as we can.

“They very quickly understand it and that it wouldn’t be acceptable for [settling for draws] to be the case. That’s the demands and that’s the standards. That’s what you need to accept when you’re at a club like Celtic.

“But they very quickly get to grips with it and get on board with it.”

Back in May of 2021, few would have predicted that Ralston would have seen out the summer at Celtic, let alone the next six years, with his new contract extension taking him through to 2027.

The turnaround in his fortunes can be variously credited to Ange Postecoglou for showing faith in him through to daughter Mila for providing his inspiration, but he too must take his share of praise for resurrecting his Celtic career from a point where even he thought it was over.

“As everyone has in their career, there have been difficult moments,” he said.

“When I was slightly younger there was a period of time when I did think things weren’t going the way I’d have wanted here. But I never gave up the fight and the people I’ve had around me – my family – and my biggest motivation being my little girl coming along.

“There are life things that happen and circumstances that give you that extra motivation and fight.

At the time, my little girl coming around was the perfect thing and the catalyst to keep fighting every day and pushing and taking opportunities when they came, and then Ange coming in was also perfect timing.”

“Now that I’m here and have signed another four-year contract, it’s a proud moment for me.” I look back on those days and realize it was worth the fight, so I’m overjoyed.

“It’s incredible. It’s an exciting time for me, my family, and everyone else involved. It’s important to try to soak up these moments because they don’t come around very often.

“But I’ve enjoyed it, taken it and now it’s about getting the head down every day working towards doing my best for the team and getting success.”

It means a lot to Ralston to have the support of not only Postecoglou, but also Rodgers upon his return to the club. Over the course of his career, he may have received some criticism from certain places.

career, but he feels if two managers of such caliber hold him in such high regard, he must be doing something right.

“It definitely gives me a great deal of confidence,” he stated.

“It makes you feel good that our gaffer has the same opinion as you, so that just motivates you.”

“It’s finished now, you’ve signed a contract, so now you push on, play games, work hard in training, keep everything right outside of football, progress, and aim for the next reward, and that’s what I want to do.”

“I’m glad I have that support, and it gives you a lot of confidence to know you’re wanted, which is a good thing to have as a player.”

“I have to keep going.”

working hard every day for opportunities to arise, which I am confident will happen, but it all comes down to the work I put in on a daily basis, which I will continue to do.”