Anthony Ralston will return to Celtic with a spring in his step.
The Celtic right-back isn’t a starter in Scotland’s domestic league, but he started back-to-back UEFA Nations League matches for Steve Clarke this week.
It wasn’t easy, but Scotland won two of two, with lifelong Celtic fan Andy Robertson scoring a stoppage-time winner against Poland on Monday evening.
That means Scotland has been given a UEFA Nations League relegation lifeline and will face a two-legged playoff in the spring to determine their top-tier fate.
Ralston played 76 minutes in Poland after playing the entire game when Scotland defeated Croatia 1-0 at Hampden Park on Friday night.
But it wasn’t an easy game for the 26-year-old, who was under constant defensive pressure, with James McFadden coming to his rescue.
James McFadden says Andy Robertson ‘should know better’ after Anthony Ralston’s defensive mix-up
The Scottish players had a difficult time, and despite John McGinn’s early goal, they were under heavy pressure and forced to dig in.
Before Poland equalised in the second half, Scotland’s backline nearly handed their opponents a goal in the first half thanks to a sloppy pass from Robertson and poor defending from not only Ralston but also Scott McTominay.
The opponent should have scored, but rather than focusing on Ralston’s role at the time, McFadden expressed dissatisfaction with his captain, according to BBC Sport.
“I know McTominay and Ralston can do better,” McFadden added. “But Robertson should have known better to make that square pass. One of them should take control, but they don’t.
“That is a warning sign. Really, that should be the leveler.”
Ralston’s stats as Celtic beat Poland
Alistair Johnston is Celtic’s starting right-back, and unfortunately for Ralston, the Canadian is now playing some of his greatest football.
However, these international performances surely help matters, and they ensure that a bench player keeps Brendan Rodgers’ engine running.
Ralston can be proud of himself, since WhoScored gave him a good 6.83 for his effort in Poland.
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