Anthony Ralston: Previously unheralded Celtic right-back delivers message not just to country but club too in first Scotland start

If the 2021-22 season had already exceeded even Anthony Ralston’s own expectations, it brought an additional layer of joyous wonder for the previously unheralded Celtic player on a rainy night at Hampden.

Ralston marked his first starting appearance for Scotland with his maiden goal for his country in the facile 2-0 UEFA Nations League Group B1 victory over Armenia.

On the back of a campaign which saw him collect his first two major winners’ medals at club level along with a new long-term contract, he has now announced himself as a serious contender for more regular international recognition under Steve Clarke.

Ever since Nathan Patterson followed up his emergence at Rangers under Steven Gerrard with his first Scotland call-up just before the Euro 2020 finals last year, there has been a widespread perception that the now Everton player was set to make the right-back or right wing-back slot his own for the national team.

But Ralston’s contribution to Celtic’s revival under Ange Posteocglou as they reclaimed the Premiership title saw many of their supporters pressing his claims ahead of the former Ibrox player.

There may be an element of classic Old Firm whataboutery to that debate but it’s safe to say Clarke now has gratifying options in that department.

Having made his senior debut as a late substitute in the 2-0 win over Denmark in November, Ralston proved more than ready to seize this opportunity to shine as he was started ahead of the fit-again Patterson.

It was a night when the 23-year-old had precious little in the way of defending to do, such was the paucity of any attacking threat posed by the limited visitors.

Ralston had all the scope he could have wished for to surge forward and took full advantage. At times,