Celtic star aims to grab 'surreal' Scotland Euros chance with both hands

Anthony Ralston says his Scotland cap call is ‘surreal’ but is looking to grab his chance with both hands.

The Celtic defender has been included in Steve Clarke’s 28-man Euros squad for Germany 2024, which will be cut to 26 before the June 7 deadline.

However, with a dearth of right-backs, Bellshill-born Ralston, who attended All Saints Primary in Airdrie, looks likely to make the cut, with Aaron Hickey and Nathan Patterson both ruled out through injury.

And he told STV: “I’m buzzing. When you’re a kid and you grow up watching these tournaments you idolise the people that are playing in them.

“To now say I’m involved in one is surreal. I’m absolutely delighted.

“If the opportunity arises over there, then I would like to do my best for my country and give my all for the team.

“From a personal point of view, I’ve kept myself n great condition and I’m off the back of 90 minutes at the weekend there, so I’m feeling good.

“It’s my job to do my best for my country if I’m called upon, and I’m ready to do so.

“You work so hard through your career, and it is very short. So when these opportunities come around, you want to try and grab them with both hands.”

Ralston, 25, says he was preparing with Celtic for the Scottish Cup final against Rangers at Hampden tomorrow when he got the call, and it was a huge moment for his family.

“We were training , so it was only when we came off the training ground that we found out,” said Ralston. “Then you check your phone and there’s messages from family and friends.

“It’s a proud moment for everybody involved and for your family. It’s good to give back that way as well, and they can all take it in.

“It’s something I’m massive on, and I know other players are as well.

“It’s about giving back to those who gave to you at a young age, and made you the person that you are, taking you to different places when you’re a kid, and giving you that kick-start.

“It’s good that it can come full circle and you can give them this moment as well.”

Ralston hopes to impress in friendlies against Gibraltar and Finland, and hopes to make the starting line-up for the opener against Germany in Munich on June 14.

He said: “It would be absolutely amazing.

“The way I approach things is that I do my work every day and take my opportunities when they come.

“If that comes, then it would be a dream.”

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