What Nicky Devlin said in private after Portugal draw proves Celtic’s Anthony Ralston’s value to Scotland

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Anthony Ralston gained another two caps for Scotland in this international break and it’s fair to say the Celtic defender impressed.

Ralston faced an elite test against Croatia in the 2-1 away defeat and then had the task of facing up to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal a mere four days later.

After Scotland earned a creditable draw against the Portuguese, Ralston was praised in the media after the Celtic defender put in a solid shift for Steve Clarke.

However, it was what Nicky Devlin told Gordon Duncan at full time that shows just how valuable it is to have a player like Ralston waiting in the wings for both club and country.

Celtic’s Anthony Ralston’s half time Scotland struggles

Ralston lasted a whole 88 minutes in the Portugal draw but what Devlin said in private speaks volumes about how valuable the Celtic defender is to his country.

Duncan said on Superscoreboard, “I actually think Anthony Ralston was struggling at halftime, you know. And so eventually, there was the one at the end where Rafael Leao can do that to you, and he checked in, and then I think the calves [went] and Nicky Devlin came on.

“But speaking to Nicky Devlin after it, he said even at half time, he got called in to have a wee look at the analysis they were doing. just in case because they thought it might be soon. [he was brought on for his debut.”

The fact that Ralston managed almost the full 90 minutes after giving so much effort in the first half shows the mentality of the Celtic stopper.

Marvin Bartley marvels at ‘outstanding’ Celtic defender

Marvin Bartley has already been vocal about his support for Ralston in a Scotland jersey and after he called out the blame culture landing at his door.

And after the draw, Bartley added, “I thought Ralston was outstanding if I’m honest.

“Ralston gets a lot of flack. We spoke about it, didn’t we, before the game? I thought he was really, really good yesterday.”

Ralston may not be the most fashionable footballer in Scotland but what he gives is 100% commitment.

And after his efforts in the last two games for Steve Clarke, no one can deny that Ralston still has an important part to play for his country moving forward.