We beat France so we will back ourselves against anyone now
The last year has been quite mental but it’s been unreal at the same time
CELTIC defender Anthony Ralston ended last season playing for Scotland in the Toulon Tournament semi-final against England. And after being niggled by Neymar in the Champions League, suffering a serious injury and going on loan to Dundee United, he will have gone full circle come Wednesday against the Auld Enemy.
Scotland’s Under-21s impressively topped their group, containing hosts France, to qualify for their second semi-finals in a row at the prestigious youth tournament with a narrow win against the South Koreans at Fos-sur-Mer.
A fine strike after just 84 seconds from Chelsea midfielder Billy Gilmour — who became the youngest-ever scorer for the Scots’ Under-21s — and a quite brilliant individual strike from captain Oliver Burke, who galloped 70 yards before finishing with aplomb, sent the Scots through after they had earlier drawn with Togo and defeated France.
Almost a year to the day, Ralston was lining up in the Stade Parsemain facing England in the semi-finals — which the Auld Enemy won 3-0.
But that was to kick start a roller-coaster year for Ralston, who went toe-to-toe with Brazil’s Paris Saint-Germain superstar Neymar, which saw the 19-year-old laugh in his face. However, the ex-Barcelona genius had the last laugh in a 5-0 Parkhead win.
Ralston then signed a bumper four-and-a-half-year deal in December, but had to undergo a knee operation before ending the season on loan at Dundee United. And he insists he has loved the ups and downs of the season.
‘It’s crazy to think of the things that have happened since that England game,’ he said. ‘It’s been quite mental, but unreal at the same time.
‘I feel I’ve grown as a player over the past year. In a way, it all started with playing in this tournament.
‘It’s been ups and downs. From the start of the season playing, living the dream as a Celtic fan playing for the first team. Then my injury and dealing with that, then going out on loan and enjoying the games I played in.
‘Celtic have been unreal this season. It’s a very special team and the achievements they’ve made over the past two seasons. I’m immensely proud to have been a part of that as well.
‘But I enjoyed my time at Dundee United and they were very good with me.
‘Getting the experience of dealing with an injury — a serious one — and having an operation was all new. It’s about how you deal with the downside and enjoy the ups.
‘It’s been a good season overall and one to remember.
‘I always look back on the Champions League night against PSG as a positive night on a personal note. It’s all about experiences and playing against that calibre of player is only going to give me the confidence to go up against any player.
‘Neymar is a very talented footballer and one of the best in the world. I take great confidence from that night going into every game.
‘Having it in the back of my head, knowing I experienced that (is great). I look back on it as a good memory even though, on the night, things didn’t go great score wise.
‘I enjoyed the challenge of that night at Celtic Park. It’s the thing I grew up dreaming of doing. There were 60,000 (fans) there on a Champions League night and I’m honoured to say I’ve done it. It’ll stick with me forever. I would not change any of it.’
Ralston is determined to go one better than last year when Scotland face England in Aubagne and he believes the young Scots can take confidence from defeating France 1-0 last week.
‘We’re all lifted by reaching the semi-finals,’ he said. ‘It’s nice to have time after a win like that when you can enjoy it.
‘The camp’s good. There is a good confidence about the place and it’s been lifted now.
‘Beating Brazil last year is something that will stick with you forever and so will France, too.
‘It’s something everyone involved can be immensely proud of, moving forward. Beating both those teams is a great achievement for everyone involved.
‘If we can go out and beat France, then the sky’s the limit for the teams we can take out in this tournament. We’ve got good enough players with good coaching that we can really have a good go at this tournament.
‘It’s very similar to last year in terms of coming up against big teams and everyone asking the question then going out and doing the job. Hopefully, we can go one step better this year and get to the final, but we’ll see how things go.’
Ralston will go back to Celtic in the forthcoming season and is hoping to play his part with the double Treble winners.
‘Going back into Celtic, I’ll be hoping to push and show I can hopefully get in the team,’ he added. ‘That’ll be my main aim.
‘If things don’t work out, I’ll just have to see how things go. I’m looking forward to getting back in for pre-season, getting my head down and working again.’