Anthony Ralston knows Tom Rogic can be unplayable when he’s at his sublime best.
The Celtic defender enjoyed watching his team-mate prove it at Motherwell.
Ange Postecoglou ’s troops were simply sensational at Fir Park as they shredded the Steelmen to stay top of the Premiership.
The Aussie had star performers across the pitch in a display of power and pace and his twinkle-toed countryman was at the head of the wrecking crew.
Rogic was at his majestic peak with two outstanding first-half finishes to add to Liel Abada’s opener.
The playmaker could easily have had a hat-trick as he toyed with his opponents.
Ralston has seen his colleague do it for years and, when asked what it’s like to face him in training sessions, he said: “When he plays like that it’s pretty difficult, as you can imagine.
“When Tom’s on top form he is unplayable, you can all see that for yourselves.
“It’s terrific to play with him, especially down that side and it makes my job easier.
“He gives me that option when I’m on the all, coming inside or on the outside, so he was terrific again.”
Postecoglou’s entire team was terrific as they dispatched the hosts.
Celtic showed no signs of letting their standards drop having charged to the top of the table with their midweek rout of Rangers.
Captain Callum McGregor made it crystal clear nothing had been achieved yet in terms of the title having stepped onto the summit and his colleagues backed their skipper’s stance in Lanarkshire.
Ralston said: “I think it was quite a natural thing to be said. We take each game as it comes and don’t get too carried away.
“It was a terrific performance on Wednesday night and it was important that we put it behind us and focused on this.
“We did that, and got the job done and now it’s about Wednesday night [against Aberdeen].
“That’s exactly how we will approach the rest of the season.
“We knew it was a difficult place to come. We’ve got the job done and it’s now important that we stay humble and keep our feet on the ground and do the same on Wednesday might.”
Daizen Maeda added a fourth goal after the interval to put a seal on the show for the league leaders and Ralston was thrilled at the overall effort.
He said: “We’re delighted, it’s not an easy place to come. To play the way we did was good.
“The style of football we’re playing is enjoyable for all of us. We’ve all got our own roles in the team and that then contributes to coming together as a team.
“It’s showing in our performances and results that it does work. To a man we believe in what we’re doing and we need to keep doing it.
“We’ve got a lot of games, it’s a busy schedule. But we take each game as it comes, we don’t get too far ahead of ourselves.
“This was a good performance, but that gets put away now and it’s about Wednesday night.
“And it will be the same again after that. That’s the way we’re approaching things.
“We’re in a very good place and we’re all enjoying our football.”
Ralston played his part having been given the nod at right back ahead of Josip Juranovic.
The Scotland star was strong defensively and also played a superb pass to Abada for him to set-up Rogic’s second.
Ralston said: “Each to a man, when we’re called upon we’re ready to go. We’re all in it together.
“We’re all enjoying our football and the style we’re playing is very attacking. But with that comes a solid defence as well.
“We all know the individual roles and with that we come together as a team too.
“It comes with practising it on the training field and in games and getting the experience of being in positions I haven’t been in before and not been used to.
“Obviously, it’s credit to the manager that he’s coached me in that way to play a role I’ve never played before.
“The same for other boys, not only in my position but over on the other side at left-back. They too have adapted well.
“Personally, I’m enjoying it. It’s a new way of playing and I’m getting used to it.
“It’s no longer alien for me. It’s a different way of playing but it is effective and I am enjoying it.”
Ralston and Greg Taylor have adapted superbly to the new roles which have been handed out by Postecoglou since his arrival and he added: “It’s a brave way of playing as well, coming inside and getting the ball. It’s not a way I’ve played before but it’s effective and I’m enjoying doing it.
“We’ve got a great squad and the good thing about it is that everybody’s ready to play when they’re called upon. They know exactly what to do in their roles.
“We’re in it together and it’s important we carry on that way through rest of season.”
