Celtic have begun the new season in topsy-turvy fashion.

The Hoops were knocked out of Europe’s premier competition and then tasted defeat in their first league clash of the campaign.

However, Ange Postecoglou’s men have bounced back in perfect style. They won their first Europa League qualifying clash and then smacked Dundee for six last week.

On the chalkboard

One of the biggest success stories from Postecoglou’s reign so far is undoubtedly Anthony Ralston.

The right-back was barely seen throughout the 2020/21 campaign, featuring just once under Neil Lennon and John Kennedy combined.

Though, he’s come flying out of the traps during the new season and has immediately become one of the first names on the team sheet.

Ralston has scored two goals, including a brilliant individual strike against Hearts in their 2-1 defeat at Tannadice.

That being said, whether he can sustain this consistency very much remains to be seen.

Other options

Celtic continue to track various right-backs with Yan Couto and Aurelio Buta considered. Another option could be Fabricio Bustos.

That’s according to reports in France who suggest that the Bhoys are in pole position to sign the defender from Argentine side Independiente in a deal worth €4m (£3.4m).

Standing at just 5 foot 5, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Bustos is a rather weak full-back. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth.

During a training session with Argentina a number of years ago, he was forced to apologise to a certain Lionel Messi for a robust challenge.

The defender recalled: “I was strong to a play that could have been avoided and that is why I apologized at the time. He told me that nothing was happening and I calmed down. It serves as my experience for everything that comes."

The statistics paint a picture that Bustos is a very tough-tackling player too.

During the 2021 Copa de la Professional, the 25-year-old was in particularly vibrant form. Over the course of 13 matches, Bustos has won 2.2 tackles and made 2.2 interceptions per match.

Although Ralston has won a mighty 3.5 tackles per game this term, he has only produced one successful interception per game.

The Independiente full-back is also particularly strong in the offensive phases of play. He has made 0.8 key passes and 1.1 dribbles per outing in Argentina’s domestic cup for instance.

Although Celtic’s current option has proved he has what it takes to star at Parkhead, they could do with another option as the campaign plays out.

AND in other news, Celtic prepare bid to sign "very gifted" £4.5m beast, fans must be buzzing...