Scotland’s campaign in Euro 2024 has ignited sharp critiques directed at Celtic players within Steve Clarke’s squad.

Callum McGregor bore the brunt of scrutiny from former Rangers manager Graeme Souness following Scotland’s 5-1 defeat to Germany. However, Celtic’s response was resolute, notably in their 1-1 draw against Switzerland.

The spotlight then turned to Anthony Ralston, who faced criticism after his error led to Switzerland’s equalizer in the subsequent group match. While David Moyes pointed out that Grant Hanley’s pass had initially pressured Ralston into the mistake, another ex-Celtic figure, Chris Sutton, highlighted additional factors contributing to Ralston’s tournament struggles.

Sutton, as reported by the Daily Record, remarked on Ralston’s resilience in bouncing back from the Swiss incident but also noted Jack Hendry’s role in complicating Ralston’s performance.

Sutton said [Daily Record], “He’s taken some stick after his part in the Swiss goal the other night but he was brutally unlucky.

“It just happened to fall right in the path of Xherdan Shaqiri but the finish was out of this world. It was an error but the punishment was brutal.

“I’ve said before, I love Ralston’s attitude and spirit. He only started eight games for Celtic last term but he refuses to hide. His teammates didn’t make it easy for him the other night either.

“The pass from Grant Hanley put him under severe pressure and Jack Hendry has constantly put him on the back foot in this competition so far by playing balls either behind him or with not enough pace.

“It’s been a thankless task for him but if he’s asked to go again, he’ll give everything as usual.”

Sutton praised Ralston’s unwavering commitment despite limited game time at Celtic last season. He criticized the difficulty Ralston faced due to passes from Grant Hanley and the positioning of Jack Hendry, which consistently placed him under pressure in the tournament.

Ralston is known for his aggressive fullback style, pushing forward during matches. Sutton’s observations about his teammates’ passes affecting his game are justified.

Criticism directed at Ralston online seems to originate predominantly from one side of Glasgow, attempting to assign blame despite Scotland’s commendable draw.

The opportunity for Ralston and McGregor to silence critics looms large in their upcoming match against Hungary. A strong performance could propel Scotland into the tournament’s knockout stage, a historic achievement for the national team.

Sutton’s remarks underscore the challenges faced by Ralston and McGregor amidst the ongoing scrutiny. Their response on the field against Hungary could potentially alter the narrative surrounding their Euro 2024 campaign, marking a pivotal moment in Scottish football history.