Steve Clarke has been forced into another squad reshuffle but there is still no place for Tony Ralston in the Scotland squad to face Austria tomorrow.
A draw will keep hopes of second place alive but after drawing at home to the Austrians a win is really needed in Vienna if Scotland are to have genuine hopes of reaching next year’s World Cup Finals.
Last week Clarke went to Denmark without a right-back, playing Andy Robertson in that role proved disastrous with the Scots 2-0 down after 15 minutes. Watching at home was Tony Ralston.
The 22-year-old has been in sparkling form for Celtic this season, taking full advantage of the reprieve that saw the club take up the 12 month option on his contract.
Against Moldova on Saturday Nathan Patterson was picked ahead of Stephen O’Donnell, this morning, with no detail or explanation it was announced that the Ibrox starlet was one of three players that won’t be in the squad for Austria.
Paul McGinn of Hibs has been called up, uncapped at the age of 30 but someone that was called into the squad last season when injuries struck.
Ralston will probably feel slightly aggrieved but with Josip Juranovic now a Celtic player there is serious competition for the right-back position, a few days training at Lennoxtown ahead of the match on Saturday against Ross County won’t do Ralston any harm.
Squad update:
IN: Paul McGinn.
OUT: Ryan Fraser, Kenny McLean, Nathan Patterson. pic.twitter.com/1uoqV8h0rD— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) September 6, 2021
What is Clarke’s problem with Anthony Ralston? He is on top form right now and should be in the squad. This needs to be addressed.
— Madre Celtica (@mckenna1507) September 6, 2021
Agreed.
Bizarre selection from the choices available.— JHC (@JHC17626935) September 6, 2021
Tony Ralston has had a great start to the season and Steve Clark calls up Paul McGinn absolute dinosaur ?
— French Ed (@1989Eddy) September 6, 2021
Great news for Paul, but Antony Ralston should also be taken. The squad is already low on numbers, why not take extra bodies?
— Carly_M (@carly_m27) September 6, 2021
Put some respect on the vice captain of the league leaders name. Ralston & Ramsay couldn’t lace John’s brothers boots.
— Craig (@CL0762) September 6, 2021
Tony ralston should be there
— James McQ?????????? (@JamesMcQ80) September 6, 2021
Ralston robbed.
— Luke? (@Luke_M67) September 6, 2021
Raulston at Celtic surly would have been better
— ?????????penecelt (@penecelt) September 6, 2021