A Celtic player told a court today that he feared for his life after being involved in a car crash.
Defender Anthony Ralston was struck by Ross Craig’s Jaguar on the A803 near Milton of Campsie, East Dunbartonshire last February.
The 21-year-old was coming home from the club’s Lennoxtown training complex when he clocked Craig’s car “out of control" on the wrong side of the road.
Ralston, who appeared as a witness at Glasgow Sheriff Court, said he worried about his career after sustaining a sore shoulder.
Craig, 57, of Kilsyth, North Lanarkshire, was found guilty of dangerous driving.
His lawyer Karen Railton attempted to plead guilty to an alternative careless driving charge but this was not accepted by the Crown.
The court heard from Ralston who said he was within the 30mph speed limit behind the wheel of his brand new Mercedes Coupe.
Ralston told the court he immediately spotted Ross’ jaguar going 50mph round a corner on the wrong side of the road.
He said: “The car was just out of control and at speed around the corner and it caught my attention.
“It immediately brought a scare the car could hit me when I first saw it.
“I was just scared for my life, there was just complete shock.
“I saw it coming so much that I braced for impact, it was a horrible moment.
“I was almost at a complete stop, I was helpless"
Ralston added that he was hit head on as Ross attempted to straighten his car to avoid hitting a wall at the side of the road.
He stated both his airbags went off and was left with a sore shoulder due to the force of impact.
Mr Ralston said: “I was just in complete shock and due to my career, my first thought was is there any broken bones and on seeing the two cars it was a complete mess.”
The trial and evidence before Sheriff Allan Findlay, continues.
