Celtic ace Anthony Ralston says Scotland competition is fierce, but they stick together

Celtic ace Anthony Ralston is up against a former Rangers rival for a place in Steve Clarke’s Scotland team at the Euros – but insists it’s friendly competition.

Ralston and Bristol City's Ross McCrorie, who also played for Aberdeen, will be in competition for the right wing-back slot in the Euro 2024 opener against hosts Germany in Munich next Friday, but there will be no ‘daggers across the table’, despite what is at stake.

Ralston, McCrorie, Greg Taylor, Ryan Porteous and Billy Gilmour grew up together on the international scene, coming through under-age sides and beating teams like Brazil, Netherlands and France on the way.

As a result, they know that sticking together can achieve great results, and Ralston hopes they can all be involved, but is obviously looking for his name to be on the team-sheet for games against Germany, Switzerland and Hungary.

Ralston, who was born in Bellshill and attended Airdrie’s All Saints Primary School, said: “It’s nowhere near daggers across the dining room table or anything like that. I actually get on really well with Ross, he’s a great guy.

“I’ve known him since we were kids playing against each other. He’s a very good player, and it’s just football that there’s competition in every position here, and the same at your club.

“The boys that have been involved since youth together, like Ryan, Greg, myself, Ross, Billy... these boys have been together at youth level and involved in big tournaments.

“To now potentially be involved in a tournament together at the top level is nice, and it’s good to show that, throughout your journey, going different paths, you end up coming together for this.

“It’s all healthy competition and good to push each other on. Hopefully we can all be part of it.