Ralston the answer to Scotland’s right-back dilemma – McGinn

Stephen McGinn believes Steve Clarke will name Celtic fringe player Anthony Ralston as one of the right-backs in his Euro 2024 squad, but insists another option must have more game time.

Clarke is unable to name regulars Aaron Hickey or Nathan Patterson due to injury, leaving Scotland without an obvious solution in that position.

“Anthony Ralston will go,” McGinn told the BBC’s Scottish football podcast. “I would be pretty surprised if he doesn’t go.

“He does a great job for Celtic any time he’s called upon. He’s done very well in the couple of appearances he’s had for Scotland.”

Ross McCrorie, Max Johnston, Danny Armstrong, Lewis Mayo and Stephen O’Donnell have also been mentioned in the right-back reckoning.

“The other guy has got to have been playing regularly,” Falkirk captain McGinn added. “It’s too much to have two right-backs going that haven’t been playing. You need someone that’s played the full season.”

The former St Mirren man stressed that whoever gets the nod, they will be comfortable in knowing their task.

“What I would say is in the last year or two, my brother [Paul], he came on [at right-back] and I know, from the stress of watching it, how comfortable he was going in.

“The beauty for anyone going to this Euros and playing in Steve Clarke’s system is you’re so well coached, you’re so well prepared.

“We’ve got a top coach, a top manager. Whoever’s selected is going to know their job inside out.”