This time last year, Anthony Ralston didn’t know if he had a future with Celtic, never mind one as a Scotland international. The full back rounded off the most remarkable of seasons with a goal in his country’s 2-0 victory against Armenia at Hampden Park.
It was his first start for Scotland, only his second appearance, but Ralston opened the scoring with a first-half header and went on to produce a confident, attacking performance at right wing back. Scott McKenna scored the other in the Uefa Nations League opener.
It was the ideal way for Scotland to bounce back from last week’s World Cup play-off semi-final defeat by Ukraine, but it was especially sweet for Ralston. His contract with Celtic was running out 12 months ago and he wasn’t sure that his new manager, Ange Postecoglou, would offer him a new one.
As it turned out, he was given a one-year deal and responded so well that a four-year deal soon followed. He was a key player in Celtic’s unexpected title triumph, and can now claim to be a genuine contender for the wing-back position in the national side.
Ralston, 23, says he could not have imagined last summer that it would turn out this way. “I’m sure my mates said it for a laugh at some stage,” he said. “But you know, this is football and you just need to keep yourself positive at all times, keep working and that’s what I’ll continue to do for the rest of my career.
“A year ago, I was in a situation where I didn’t know what was happening. My contract was coming to an end. But I just kept believing in myself. I kept on working hard and I managed to get myself back in and just take my opportunities when I got them.
“I wasn’t involved at Celtic. It’s no secret it was a hard time for me. But I kept myself right, I kept training hard, I kept believing. I’m happy I’ve done that. I gave myself the best chance and that’s all I could do.”
Ralston’s family were at Hampden for the game. He says he will be proud to show his daughter, Mila, a replay of his goal when she is a little older. Just singing the anthem before kick-off was an emotional experience for the defender who had a number of spells on loan before eventually making an impact at Celtic.
“That was another special moment. There’s been a lot tonight and I’m trying to take it all in. I’m sure it will settle in eventually. But it’s a proud moment for myself, representing my country. It’s something that will live me forever and it’s not something I really expected, to be quite honest. But it’s something I’ve enjoyed every minute of and I hope there will be more to come.
“My daughter wasn’t at the game, but it’s something that I’ll be able to show her in the years to come and she’ll be able to see her dad scoring for her country, which is quite special. It’s for a sure a nice moment to look forward to.”
Nathan Patterson had been expected to start on the right of midfield, but Ralston’s performance will have given Steve Clarke, the Scotland manager, food for thought ahead of their next Nations League game, against Republic of Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.
“That’s not my decision,” Ralston said. “I’ll just go into training, do my recovery and we’ll see what happens. There are other talented boys who also play that position, so I’m not the one to make that call. All I can do is try to be positive when I get my chance and that’s what I’ll continue to try to do.”
