Celtic fans tuning into Scotland’s friendly clash with Greece were treated to strong showings from two familiar faces—Anthony Ralston and Kieran Tierney.
Kieran Tierney and Andy Robertson
REUTERS/Lee Smith
Both played key roles in the 1-0 win, though in very different ways, as Steve Clarke managed his squad smartly with a watchful eye on both form and fitness.
Ralston, who has been consistently solid in green and white, continued that form in the dark blue of Scotland. Starting at right-back, he put in a typical shift, combining good positioning with strong tackling to help Scotland keep a clean sheet. His calmness under pressure and willingness to get forward caught the eye once again. He was eventually withdrawn in the 89th minute, earning another valuable cap and showing why he remains part of Clarke’s plans.
Tierney, who is set to rejoin Celtic on a pre-contract this summer, had a more unorthodox role. The Arsenal man came on in the 76th minute and was deployed as a left winger, showcasing his versatility and attacking instincts late in the match. While he didn’t have long to influence the game, his introduction added energy down the flank.
Clarke, however, made it clear post-match that Tierney’s limited minutes were part of a wider plan.“I was conscious of the fact Andy Robertson was on a yellow card… If I started Kieran then suddenly back-to-back games for Kieran, who has not played very often for his club either, it could have been an issue for us,” he said. [The Scotsman]
It’s always good to see Celtic players do well for their country.
Tees for Tims - Jota Celtic