'Appreciative' Ralston & Hanley thrilled to repay Clarke faith
Anthony Ralston and Grant Hanley have thanked Scotland boss Steve Clarke for showing faith in them despite the pair's lack of game-time at club level.Right-back Ralston has made just three appearances for Celtic in 2025, while centre-half Hanley has had one start for Birmingham City since joining the English third-tier club in January.But both players were in Clarke's starting XI in Athens and impressed as the Scots dug out a gritty 1-0 win over Greece in the Nations League play-off first leg."When you're not playing at club level there's a chance you might not get selected [by Scotland] or won't start," 33-year-old Hanley told BBC Scotland."But I'm grateful to the manager showing that trust in me. I'm happy I could repay that with a clean sheet."Ralston, 26, said: "I'm very appreciative of the gaffer showing the faith that he has given that my game-time at club level isn't where he would maybe want it to be."I obviously want to go out and put the performances in for him."It's keeping myself right in my personal life and on the training pitch so that when the opportunities come I can take them and do my job for the team."Victory in Athens was the fifth game in succession that Hanley has partnered Rangers centre-back John Souttar in the heart of Scotland's defence."We enjoy it and feel the performances have been good," Hanley added."Second half we were under pressure a bit and defending the box a lot, but for defenders to come through it – making tackles and headers and defending our box – we take a lot of pride in it. It's one we can enjoy and take into the second leg on Sunday."Read more: 'Scotland's great survivor Hanley basks in battle'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Soccer Aid's Martin Compston's professional football career before he left for acting
The Scots Line of Duty star is starring in the Soccer Aid line-up, however, this isn't the first time he's laced up his football boots... Before he was a huge star in the likes of Line of Duty and Mayflies, Martin Compston was actually a professional footballer. The Scots actor is mostly known for playing a waistcoat wearing DS Steve Arnott in the hit BBC drama. The 41-year-old, is set to play Soccer Aid at Old Trafford this evening in the Rest of the World against England, with former Italy star Leonardo Bonucci among his team-mates. He's not the only Scots actor on his team either, as Baby Reindeer star Richard Gadd is also set to take on England. However, before Celtic daft Compston turned to acting, he was actually a pro footballer. In his early football career, he had stints with Aberdeen and Morton. The Greenock-born star even played two senior matches for Morton at the end of the 2001/02 season, but without much success. His first appearance resulted in a 4-0 defeat against Alloa Athletic, while his second – another 4-0 defeat, this time against Queen of the South – saw Morton relegated from the Scottish Second Division. Speaking on his pal Si Ferry's famous football podcast, Open Goal, Compston opened up about his brief football career. He explained that he was first spotted while playing in a Scottish underage cup final against a Celtic side which included future Man Utd star Darren Fletcher. After a stint with his hometown club, he was signed by Aberdeen where he played alongside future Premier League star Dean Windass. Compston even captained the Aberdeen youth team for a short period, but the actor knew when his time was up at the club. He told Si: "I remember I was captain at a game and one of the top scouts came down, and we got beat off an East Kilbride select, I went, 'That's that f*****!'" After his time at Aberdeen, Compston found himself back at Morton in the Scottish Second Division. "It just wasn't a good time to be at the club," the actor admitted. "They'd just gone down to the second division and we were struggling. "It was a mad time. We were full-time the YTS [Youth Team Scholarship] players. There was only three or four of us cleaning 40 pairs of boots and cleaning the stadium. "The first team were coming in training at night. There was a lot of hanging about. I felt more like a cleaner than a football player. "I made my debut when I was 17," Compston recalled. "We were away to Alloa. I knew they were only going to pitch me in if we were well up or well down. "I felt terrible, Alloa were winning 2-0 with 40 minutes left and they put a third one in and I was like, 'You beauty.' "The last game of the season, we had to win to stay up and we were playing Queen of the South who had to win to win the league. It was a sell-out, 14,000. The atmosphere was unbelievable." The day didn't go to plan however, he added: "There was some b******... at half-time, I knew I was going on. So I'm spraying balls about. "It smashed somebody and he's run on and rugby tackled me. The stewards were just all laughing. It was nerve-wracking. It was Scottish second division football but it's like, 'You've done that.'" Compston began acting during his football career after he bagged a lead role in Ken Loach's film 'Sweet Sixteen' while still with Morton. "It worked out perfect," Compston explained. "I'd just finished my exams and I'd got my Morton contract. The auditions were at the end of the year. "I went to [Morton manager] Peter Cormack and asked if it was alright to miss a couple of days of pre-season. We filmed it in the close season. He said, 'You're a fit boy, you'll be fine.' I finished filming and went back to Greenock Morton. "I remember being gutted because in the programme notes, the players were asked who's their favourite actor and not one of them said me. I thought one of them, for a joke, would throw my name in there!" Despite Loach being impressed by Compston's acting ability, the director advised him to keep in at his football career. He decided against Loach's advice and auditioned for a Heartbeat spin-off called The Royal. He had been sent the wrong script but still got the part and from then on his mind was set. "That was a big wake-up call," Compston said. "They don't know who I am. They hadn't seen Sweet Sixteen. To get that, I said, 'OK, I'm alright at this.' "Morton weren't going through the best of times. I was driving up the road one day, passing Cappielow [Greenock Morton's stadium] and I just went in and said [to manager Dave McPherson], 'I think I'm going to give this acting a crack.' He said, 'Sorry to lose you,' but I didn't find it too hard to be honest." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Celtic tick all the boxes for Benjamin Nygren as Sweden star outlines exactly what he wants at next club
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BENJAMIN NYGREN craves a big club with a huge support who fill a noisy stadium every week. He wants to fight for trophies, play under pressure and get a crack at Champions League football. Sign up for the Celtic newsletter Sign up 4 Benjamin Nygren speaking to WTV in Sweden Credit: WTV 4 He addressed his future in football 4 He's closing in on a move to Celtic Credit: Alamy If only there was a club out there that could offer him all of that Nygren didn't name Celtic as he spoke candidly about his ideal next step just two weeks ago. But the Sweden star couldn't have dropped any bigger hints that the Hoops are the perfect club for him. SunSport has unearthed a YouTube interview where Nygren outlined his wishes as he prepares to quit Nordsjaelland. The 23-year-old would have been aware that Celtic were watching him closely as he talked on a Swedish channel. And it appears the Hoops will tick every single box as he closes in on a £2million move to Parkhead. Asked why he is ready to move on, Nygren said: 'I want to go to a bigger club. 'I want to play in the Champions League and I want to get as far as possible in my career. 'We have been in agreement for some time about me leaving in this window. I feel it's time. 'I want to go to a club that has extreme belief in me and has a clear plan for me. The diggers move in as Celtic Park pitch is dug up 'But also a big club that plays in the best tournaments in Europe. 'At club level, the Champions League is the biggest competition you can play in. 'Nordsjaelland is a very family-orientated club and it can be quiet in the stands. 'That is good in a way maybe but I think it's a lot of fun when there are a lot of fans. 'It's more fun to play when it's a full stadium, where there are a lot of supporters and there is a lot of pressure. 'That is what I like the most.' Nygren has been a revelation in Danish football for the last two years and is now a full Sweden cap. He scored 16 goals for the Superliga side last season and already has two in just four appearaneces for the national team. But he believes there is even more to come from him and wants to play under a manager who truly believes in him. Benjamin Nygren's career 2013 (youth level) - 2019: IFK Goteborg - 15 games (six goals, five assists) 2019 - 2022: Genk - seven games (one goal) 2020 - 2022: Heerenveen (loan) - 51 games (seven goals, six assists) 2022 --: Nordsjaelland - 107 games (35 goals, eight assists) Celtic gaffer Brendan Rodgers has a track record for developing players in his attacking midfield position. Tom Rogic, Stuart Armstrong, Ryan Christie and Matt O'Riley all blossomed under his guidance at Parkhead. Nygren could be the next to work with Rodgers and the versatile playmaker has vowed to keep working at his game. He said: 'Being able to play in different positions is a strength for me. 'I know that I can contribute a lot to teams and also help make people get the best out of their own qualities. 'I believe in my abilities and I think I am good at creating chances and finishing when I get them myself.' Nygren will always be grateful to Nordsjaelland for the way they helped revive his career after a £4m move to Genk in 2019 didn't work. The Danish side offered him a platform to show his qualities again after being tipped as Sweden's next big thing as a kid. Nygren has taken that chance and also given a lot back to Nordsjaelland, and captained the team last season. Yet he admits he has now outgrown the club, who focus on developing talent as opposed to winning trophies. He said: 'I would definitely say it's a good environment to develop. 4 'We have a lot of young players. 'Generally, in the last ten games of the season, we had three or four 18-year-olds in the starting line-up. 'That's not very common so it's a platform to learn and develop. 'This is a club that has a lot of eyes on it, but which also maintains a very high level and is a top-five club in Denmark in principle every year. 'Nordsjaelland's highest goal is not to win the league, but to play with young talents to sell. 'It is a selling club and it becomes difficult to compete for the titles when you sell your best players all the time. 'But that doesn't affect my motivation. Wherever I play, even if nobody is watching, I want to win.' Nygren also has an eye on next summer's World Cup after recently breaking into the Sweden squad. Jon Dahl Tomasson's side face Switzerland, Kosovo and Slovenia in their qualifying group and are favourites to progress. Nygren is desperate to stay in his national squad and playing at a high level in Europe for Celtic would boost his chances. Speaking to Wenstrom Television, he said: 'The World Cup is the biggest thing there is. 'It is one of my highest goals to get there during my career. 'It was extremely fun to get into the Sweden squad and score my first goal. 'That is something I have been dreaming about for a long time. 'I have fought very hard each day to reach that level in my career. 'I felt I was getting closer and closer, and it fun to be called up and play for the national team. 'To make my debut and starting debut and score my first goal was a dream.' Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Wales Online
an hour ago
- Wales Online
Wayne Rooney's lookalike son plays for Man Utd as millions watch amazing video
Wayne Rooney's lookalike son plays for Man Utd as millions watch amazing video The Red Devils legend's eldest son is following in his footsteps as he makes his return to Old Trafford this weekend Rooney junior is following in his famous father's footsteps Wayne Rooney makes his return to Old Trafford this weekend as part of the England team for this year's Soccer Aid charity match. The former Manchester United striker became a legend during his 13 years with the Red Devils, becoming the club's all-time record goalscorer and helping them to five Premier League titles, as well as triumphs in the Champions League and Europa League. In his 559 appearances for the English giants, he also lifted the FA Cup, two League Cups and four Community Shields. However, eight years after he left United to return to boyhood club Everton, and four years on from retiring from playing altogether, Rooney returns to the Theatre of Dreams in a new role to raise money for UNICEF. Sunday night's match will see the 39-year-old - who has held managerial positions with Derby County, D.C. United, Birmingham City and Plymouth Argyle since retiring - adopt a player-coach role for the charity event. It will see him lead the team from the sidelines as part of a coaching team also made up of Tyson Fury, David James and Vicky McClure, before taking to the pitch alongside the likes of Roman Kemp, Sir Mo Farah and Bella Ramsey. Rooney previously managed at the 2020 edition of Soccer Aid, but said the opportunity to work alongside Fury in the role made this year's event even more exciting. Article continues below "I'm a big boxing fan, so to do it alongside Tyson Fury is fantastic," said the Premier League legend as his role was confirmed. "We have this in common - we'll both be taking it incredibly seriously. It's great to lace up the old boots again - and see some old friends." Rooney is set to earn a warm reception as he returns to Old Trafford and, while it has been eight years since he last played for United, his ties to the club remain strong, thanks to his eldest son Kai. Content cannot be displayed without consent The 15-year-old is currently tearing it up for the Red Devils' youth teams and has been tipped to follow in his father's footsteps at the club, such is his ruthlessness in front of goal. Kai has impressed his coaches since joining United in 2020 and earlier this year hit headlines after scoring a brilliant solo goal for the club's U17s side in their clash with Real Sociedad. The impressive move saw the teenager collect the ball down the right-hand side of the pitch after his centre-back found him with a knock over the top. After getting away from his marker with a neat first touch, he shrugged off another would-be tackler before slotting the ball under the goalkeeper and into the net. While the United side ultimately lost 5-1, the strike - which has been viewed by over three million people on social media - caught the eye of fans who have tipped the young talent to emulate his legendary father at Old Trafford. Content cannot be displayed without consent Of course, Kai has receive a fair amount of guidance from his father, as he explained: "It's a lot about scoring goals because he was pretty good at scoring goals. So it's mainly tips about that. "He is preparing me to get into professional football with the right mentality." Revealing his favoured position on the pitch, the youngster added: "I could play on the wing as well, but I'm mainly a striker that scores goals." Rooney senior has also spoken of his pride at his son's budding career, telling The Athletic: "He's enjoying it. That's the most important thing. He's doing everything he can to try to have a career in football and not just him, my other children as well. "They love the game and my advice - to any children - is play to enjoy. "There's that much pressure when you do get to the professional level and sometimes you forget why you're playing the game. You're playing because you love playing the game and you enjoy playing the game." Article continues below Rooney's wife Coleen also told the Mirror: 'We've never pressured them into even playing football. We've always just let them decide what they want to do. My eight-year-old was playing and doing really well but then decided he didn't want to, and that's OK. 'I think they sometimes get pressure off other people, you know. People approach them now and then if we're out, they do say, 'Are you are as good as your dad?'. Kai says 'I'm a different type of player.' "You've got to let them know that you don't have to follow and to be your own person.'
