Celtic star Anthony Ralston enjoys dream first start for Scotland with goal in Armenia win
dailyrecord.co.ukCeltic star Anthony Ralston netted his maiden Scotland goal on his first start for Scotland - and rounded it off with the man of the match award in a Nations League win over Armenia.The 23-year-old, from Bellshill, was drafted in to replace Aaron Hickey at right wing back after last week's painful World Cup semi-final play-off defeat to Ukraine.And he fully seized his opportunity with an outstanding first half display, which was capped with the opening goal of the game after 28 minutes when he headed home at the back post from Stuart Armstrong's cross.It makes him the youngests player to score on his first start for his country since Jordan Rhodes in 2012.Scott McKenna, earning his 25th cap, added a second five minutes before the break with a header and then had an effort ruled out by VAR for offside in first half stoppage time.Ralston, who attended- Airdrie's All Saints Primary School, collected only his second senior cap at Hampden but has staked his claim to become first-choice in the right-back berth battle with Everton's Nathan Patterson and Motherwell skipper Stephen O'Donnell.The result is a real confidence boost as Scotland head to Dublin on Saturday to face Republic of Ireland, who lost 1-0 to Armenia on Saturday and by the same scoreline at home to Ukraine tonight.Scotland sit top of Group B1 ahead of Ukraine on goal difference.Follow Lanarkshire Live Sport onTwitter via@LanLiveSport, like us onFacebookor find us onInstagramfor the latest sports news, pictures and video.
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