Scotland captain Andy Robertson has been praised for a touching pre-World Cup gesture that underscores the remarkable team spirit within the squad. Before Steve Clarke's side departed for the United States to compete in the tournament, the skipper presented each of his teammates with a thoughtful gift.
Personalised Gifts and Letters
The gifts included traditional Scottish items alongside a personalised letter from Robertson. Anthony Ralston, the Celtic full-back, described the gesture as an 'amazing touch' from the newly-signed Tottenham Hotspur defender. Ralston highlighted how the gift reflects the unity that Clarke has cultivated among his players over his tenure.
Scotland secured an impressive 4-0 victory over Bolivia in New Jersey on Saturday evening, building momentum ahead of their World Cup opener against Haiti this weekend. Ralston, who came off the bench against the South Americans, shared details of Robertson's heartfelt message.
“It was a lovely wee gift from Andy with some traditional items and a personal letter. It was a brilliant touch from him,” Ralston said. “The message just said how proud he was personally of the squad and also how we want to make everybody else proud by doing the best we can out here. That’s really what hit home for us. We don’t want to let anyone down. It was an amazing touch. The boys really appreciated it and felt thankful for it.”
Team Unity and Preparation
Ralston emphasised that the gesture is a testament to the togetherness within the squad. “We saw a great football performance from us on Saturday night. But in terms of the backroom stuff - this is just a great group of lads who all work well together. Not just going into normal camps but even in big tournaments. We have a group who travel around the world together and get on so well,” he said.
“We all have the same beliefs and drivers - and that can only stand you in good stead as a team. You can’t fake that stuff. We’ve been a group for a long time and have kept the same players for most of the campaigns. We’ve played in big games and come through big moments. I think it has built up over time and hopefully now we’re starting to see the result of that on the pitch.”
Ralston added that the squad is in a strong position heading into the tournament. “We’re in a really good place going into this tournament and that’s all you can ask for. It’s been brilliant since everybody came into camp and met up. We know how much this moment means, not just to us players and staff but also to everyone back home, including our families. We’re focused on being the best we can be at the tournament and we don’t want to let anyone down.”
Role and Mindset
Ralston acknowledged that he is not the first-choice right-back under Clarke, with Aaron Hickey and Nathan Patterson ahead of him in the pecking order. However, he remains a valuable squad member, bringing experience from club football and Euro 2024, where he played every group-stage game. He stressed that his mentality remains unchanged regardless of whether he starts in Group C matches against Haiti, Morocco, and Brazil.
“It’s a squad game. It’s going to be a tournament where we use the full squad and, to a man, we’re in it for each other. We support each other whether we play or not. Whether you start or not isn’t what it’s all about. It’s about giving everyone the support they need and getting the best result we can. At the end of the day, it’s your profession, it’s your job. This is an amazing opportunity for everybody involved. It’s an experience to savour for the rest of your career and memories that will last a lifetime,” he said.
Family Support
Ralston is also looking forward to sharing the World Cup experience with his six-year-old daughter Mila, who will travel to America for the tournament. “I’ve got a lot of family coming out and my wee girl, which is amazing. Hopefully this is something which, in years to come, I’ll be able to share with her, in terms of photos and videos. She is only six but we all have our own motivations and she is definitely mine. She’s starting to enjoy football so it will be great to have her here,” he concluded.
