Third choice Celt ready to grab unexpected international chance

Tony Ralston is ready to answer the international call at the third time of asking.

The Celtic defender made the breakthrough to the full international squad last season but found Nathan Patterson and Aaron Hickey ahead of him in the queue for the September Nations League ties.

Patterson was crocked last week in the home win over Ukraine with Ralston called on to replace Hickey in the win over Ireland but has stayed with the squad for tomorrow’s final group match in Poland.

The Celtic defender has only started two club matches this season but told Glasgow Times how he is on stand-by for tomorrow’s match:

We will just need see how things develop, but we will all be ready as a squad. We will be expecting another tough game. They always do bring that. It will just be the same as what we have been doing in the past few games.

We will all just need to recover. It is a quick turnaround and there are a lot of games in quick succession so we need to be ready.

It is just about gaining experience. I have been fortunate enough to play for my country before and that helped me on Saturday night when I came on. Everybody just needs to stay together and go in the right direction.

You just have to believe in yourself. That is important in your football career, regardless of what level you are at. You need to believe you can play. That is important for everyone who is involved.

Greg Taylor looks certain to play at left-back tomorrow for his old Kilmarnock boss with Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney both out injured.

Game time for Ralston will be welcomed by Ange Postecoglou who is preparing for 13 matches between October 1 and November 12 and the break for the World Cup Finals.