Scotland v Croatia: Brickie set to make in nine in a row at Hampden

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The Celtic Star

·15 novembre 2024

Scotland v Croatia: Brickie set to make in nine in a row at Hampden

Celtic’s Anthony Ralston is in line to start his 9th consecutive game for Scotland tonight against Croatia at Hampden Park…

Scotland v Portugal – Anthony Ralston and Diogo Jota battle for the ball during the UEFA Nations League Group A1 match at Hampden on Tuesday October 15, 2024. Photo Jane Barlow

Injuries have given Ralston a run in Scotland team

Steve Clarke has put significant trust in Celtic’s second choice right-back given the injury crisis Scotland have on that side of the pitch with the notable absences of Nathan Patterson and Aaron Hickey.

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Winless in their last eight outings, Ralston who turns 26 tomorrow will be hoping for an early birthday present. Scotland’s abysmal record of 1 win in 14 games trundled on with a defeat against Croatia in Zagreb and a respectable stalemate versus Portugal being the summation of October’s camp.

Although results have not went Clarke’s way since the embarrassing and damaging Euro 2024 campaign in Germany, performances have been an improvement across the four games since.

Anthony Ralston of Scotland looks on during a training session at Lesser Hampden on October 08, 2024 (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Building for World Cup campaign

Losing by the odd goal, and late ones at that, there has been a hint of unluckiness at not being rewarded with three points. It may yet come tonight at Hampden Park, but the rut of blanks needs to end. Scotland must win one of their next two which would galvanise confidence and belief in the group of players heading into World Cup qualification next year.

Finishing second which would all but secure becoming a pot 1 team in the World Cup qualification group stage draw is not impossible. However, the arithmetics are being drawn therefore it is reasonable to conclude that the chances of back to back Scotland victories with results also having to go their way is more than unlikely.

Anthony Ralston at Rugby Park last Sunday. Photo Vagelis Georgariou for The Celtic Star.

Rematch of the Luka Modric versus Tony Ralston battle

Making a return to Glasgow this evening is 2018 Ballon D’or winner Luka Modric. The 39 year-old veteran midfielder produced a masterclass display at Celtic Park in September 2022 when Real Madrid unconvincingly beat Ange Postecoglou’s Hoops side 3-0 in the Champions League. Admirably, Modric was clapped off the pitch by Celtic supporters who appreciated his technical skill and quality.

Following Croatia this evening, the players will travel to Warsaw to face Poland on Monday night. Thankfully, this will be the last time Scotland will be in action until March.

Celtic v St Mirren – Anthony Ralston celebrates with the Scottish Premiership trophy at Celtic Park on Saturday May 18, 2024. Photo Andrew Milligan

Scotland v Croatia Live on Scottish FA’s YouTube channel

Three international breaks in the space of three months are tedious. Club football is where it is at, but if you want to support Tony and his teammates which also includes Greg Taylor, then you can watch Scotland v Croatia live on the Scottish FA YouTube channel with the game shockingly not on terrestrial TV. Kick off at the national stadium is 19:45.

Conor Spence

Matt Corr’s wonderful new books, Celtic in the Thirties, Volumes One & Two are both out now on Celtic Star Books and you can order a signed copies by clicking on the links below…