CELTIC duo Anthony Ralston and Kieran Tierney have been given the go-ahead by Steve Clarke for Scotland’s World Cup warm-ups later this month.
The USA-bound Scots will play Japan at Hampden a week on Saturday and Ivory Coast at Everton’s new ground, the Hill Dickinson Stadium, three days later.
Ralston has been struggling for game time at the champions this season and appears to have dropped to third in Martin O’Neill’s pecking order behind on-loan Julian Araujo and teenager Colby Donovan.
WORLD CUP FINALS, HERE WE COME…Kieran Tierney celebrates Scotland’s third goal in the 4-2 win over Denmark at Hampden in November to seal qualification.
However, international gaffer Clarke has kept faith in the Hoops defender and he will be involved along with Tierney in the 26-man squad.
Key midfielders Scott McTominay and John McGinn are also included, despite recent injuries.
SCOTLAND SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Angus Gunn, Liam Kelly, Scott Bain;
Defenders: Anthony Ralston, Kieran Tierney, Grant Hanley, Jack Hendry, Dom Hyam, Ross McCrorie, Scott McKenna, Nathan Patterson, Andy Robertson, John Souttar;
Midfielders: Ryan Christie, Lewis Ferguson, Billy Gilmour, Andy Irving, John McGinn, Kenny McLean, Scott McTominay, Lennon Miller;
Forwards: Che Adams, Tommy Conway, Findlay Curtis, Lyndon Dykes and George Hirst.
LOOKING FOR A PERFECT GIFT FOR ST.PATRICK’S DAY? Celtic Confidential is the stunning new book that brings the exclusive inside stories behind the headlines. Alex Gordon’s sixteenth Celtic book is available NOW. Order a copy and get £5 OFF the cover price of £25. All is revealed in a sensational new publication. Just click SHOP HERE and your book will be on its way. Happy St Patrick’s Day!
