Tony Ralston believes the positive attitude of Steve Clarke’s fringe players will go a long way to determining the success of the World Cup campaign.
A back-up player for both his club and country, the Celtic man’s willingness to answer the call whenever he’s been asked has ensured he’s been a regular fixture in the set-up for the national team.
Now with 26 caps after featuring from the bench in the win over Bolivia, Ralston appreciates that he’ll probably have to settle for the role of back-up behind Aaron Hickey against Haiti in Boston.
But he feels the willingness of players in his shoes to offer support and be ready to deliver for the side at any given minute will be a key factor in the squad succeeding.
‘The gaffer has touched on that with us, that it is a squad game,’ he said.
‘It is going to be a tournament where we use the squad so, to a man, we are in it for each other. We support each other regardless of whether we play or not.
Substitute Tony Ralston gets game time as a substitute in Scotland’s friendly against Bolivia
Skipper Andy Robertson wrote a letter to his team-mates to say how proud he was of them all
‘Whether you start or whether you don’t that is not what it’s about.
‘It is about giving everybody the support they need whether you are playing or not and getting the best results we can. That’s the most important thing.
‘It’s your profession at the end of the day. It’s your job so you do the best you can and that’s it.
‘It’s an amazing opportunity for everybody involved.
‘It’s a great experience to savour for the rest of your career, memories that will last a lifetime for you, your friends, your families etc.’
Part of the set-up since 2021, Ralston feels the camaraderie within the squad can be just as important as its natural ability.
Speaking after the 4-0 win in New Jersey, he added: ‘For sure, we have seen a great football performance.
‘But in terms of the backroom stuff, it really is a great group of lads and we all work together.
‘Not just going into normal camps but going into big tournaments like this we have a group who travel round the world together and get on really well.
‘We all have the same beliefs and drivers and that can only stand you in good stead.’
Ralston is hopeful that he can play some part in the games with Haiti, Morocco and Brazil to make the efforts of his kith and kin worthwhile.
‘I’ve got a lot of my family coming out and my wee girl, which is amazing,’ he revealed.
‘Hopefully, this is something which, in years to come, I will be able to share with her.
‘Photos and videos and stuff, it’s a great experience to share with her.
‘She is six and we have all our own motivations and she is definitely mine. My main motivation to do well.
Boss Steve Clarke has told his players that their World Cup campaign will be a squad effort
‘She is getting there, she enjoys football, so she will be here.’
Meanwhile, Ralston has praised skipper Andy Robertson for personally writing to every member of the squad to express his gratitude for their efforts in reaching the World Cup.
Robertson, who’s just joined Tottenham after nine years at Liverpool, took time out of his schedule to pen 25 separate letters which he gave to his team-mates at the start of the camp along with some tokens of his appreciation.
Ralston felt the gesture was over and above the call of duty from his fellow defender and has strengthened the collective desire to make an impact in the tournament.
‘It was a lovely wee gift just with some traditional items and a personal letter,’ he said.
‘It was a nice touch from Andy, brilliant. The message was to say how proud he personally was of the squad and how we want to make everybody else proud by doing the best that we can.
‘That’s really what hits home with us. We don’t want to let anybody down.
‘It was an amazing touch and all the boys appreciated it and felt thankful for that.’
