Anthony Ralston admits Steve Clarke surprised him by snubbing the Celtic defender for his Scotland squad for Thursday night’s friendly with Poland, via quotes by the Glasgow Times.
Clarke named a mix of proven internationals and young faces in the Tartan Army side last week. But there was no spot left for Ralston. Despite the full-back making his debut in their November World Cup qualifying win over Denmark as a late substitute at Hampden Park.
Ralston has since maintained a regular role in Ange Postecoglou’s side at Parkhead and has regularly offered an end product. He has five goals and seven assists in 40 appearances in all competitions so far this term. Only one goal has also come outside a Premiership game.
Yet Clarke has chosen Motherwell’s Stephen O’Donnell and Everton’s Nathan Patterson as Scotland’s right-backs over Celtic’s Ralston to face Poland. Even though Patterson has only played 45 minutes since moving to Goodison Park from Rangers for £12m, rising to £16m.
Clarke even admitted Patterson’s move to Merseyside ‘hasn’t quite worked out’ so far for the six-cap 20-year-old. He had only assisted one goal over 11 games for Rangers before leaving in January. But Patterson scored and assisted for Scotland in Moldova in November.
Anthony Ralston admits feeling underappreciated after Scotland snub Celtic star
Having continued to flourish under Postecoglou since his Scotland debut, Clarke snubbing Ralston has left the Celtic full-back surprised and feeling somewhat underappreciated.
“I was a little bit, I feel that I have done well through the course of the season,” he said. “I would have liked to have been involved in the squad, but it is not to be at the minute.
“My main aim is to do my bit for Celtic and, hopefully, in time I will get that international recognition. These things are out of my control. The only thing in my control is my performances and my hard work.”
Ralston’s most recent goal involvements were crucial for Celtic after assisting once in a 3-2 win at Aberdeen and 3-2 win at home to Dundee in Premiership matches during February. The Hoops would now be sitting second in the standings without those extra four points.
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