Scotland fans all say the same thing about Celtic’s Anthony Ralston after horror defeat to Greece

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Celtic defender Anthony Ralston suffered UEFA Nations League relegation with Scotland on Sunday.

After Scotland beat Greece in the first leg of their UEFA Nations League A/B playoff match on Thursday, they were quickly brought back down to earth in Hampden for the return leg.

Ralston produced a strong performance in Athens and he played the full 90 minutes, despite his lack of minutes and starts at Celtic this season.

Alistair Johnston is Celtic’s starting right-back and it has been the case ever since Brendan Rodgers returned to the club last season.

When you look back across the whole picture, Ralston can’t argue too much because Johnston has been one of his side’s most consistent performers over the last two years.

But whilst Ralston’s rusty play didn’t show in the first leg, it was there for all to see for the return match because Scotland were smashed 3-0 on home soil – losing 3-1 on aggregate.

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Scotland fans don’t hold back on Celtic’s Anthony Ralston’s performance against Greece

With the 1-0 lead from the first-leg, Scotland were never going to come out all guns blazing because of the overall scoreline and it’s just not Steve Clarke’s way.

It was a fairly even opening, but when Greece scored after 20 minutes, everything, from back to front, went downhill for the home side.

And, on social media, the Scotland fans weren’t too pleased by what they were seeing from Celtic’s back-up right-back.

@marknelsoncomic laid the blame on Clarke: ‘Clarke pulls some masterclasses but this is all on his favourites tonight. McLean, Ralston and Hanley been brutal. You can’t ask players to play 180 mins of international football when they don’t get games for their clubs’.

@Reaps11 also wanted to make the same point: ‘There has to be a better option at right back than Ralston!!!! Surely Max Johnston should be playing. The fact that Ralston has more games for Scotland this season than for Celtic is ridiculous’.

@Stevenbryson6 thinks the loyalty isn’t working: ‘Steve Clarke far to loyal to some players. Hanley, Ralston, Mc Clean and Christie come to mind. Playing one up front is another negative’.

@iTzzchrissy added: ‘Christie and Ralston in absolute no man’s land there’.

@billbunkered was clear about that right-hand side: ‘Playing Ralston and Christie was not a good idea. Most of the trouble was down that side. I really hope Wilson flourishes quickly as our forward options are not good. We need a decent CB alongside Souttar too’.

@jamie_trueman96 says relegation was deserved: ‘We deserve no more than being relegated when over and over we play Christie, Hanley, McLean and ralston, you then hook one of our best centre midfielders. criminal’.

@DandyDonSF is looking towards the future: ‘Gordon, Ralston, Hanley, McLean – time to stop picking these guys. Time to build for the future. Adams – doesn’t deserve to play next time. Poor at linking play and no goal threat at all. Get Johnson, Wilson, Doak, Ferguson in to the team regularly’.

@DerekBlair50104 didn’t hold back on Ralston: ‘Scotland were absolutely useless. Greece was a threat every time going forward… Oh, and Anthony Ralston, just eh why? So many average and really overrated players in the team. Hanley, McGinn, to name but a few’.

@MrSTeaches22 continued the theme: ‘Let’s be honest, when@ScotlandNT first-choice strikers are the perennially useless Dykes and Adams, we’ve no chance. Oh, and Ralston is hopeless’.

@flyingsauc14092 didn’t hold back: ‘Scotland are horrific. This should be the end of the road for Steve Clarke, and dross players like Tierney, McGinn and Ralston. They are embarrassing’.

@Andy__Morgan wants changes and Ralston is in the firing line: ‘Hanley, McLean and Ralston better no be in the next squad’.

@boabbyclub wasn’t happy either: ‘Get Clarke in the bin. That way he can take Hanley, McLean, Adams and Ralston with him’.

Ralston’s stats as Scotland relegated from UEFA Nations League

With the 2026 World Cup around the corner, if Scotland qualify, then Ralston can’t head into that tournament with very few minutes on the domestic stage.

Yes, Celtic’s dominance in Scotland doesn’t help the player himself because the starting XI is very difficult to break into.

But, after being rated just under eight by WhoScored in the first leg, it was a rating of 6.12 for the second leg defeat for Ralston and he can have no complaints, alongside his teammates.