Several Celtic players awaiting key announcement

After Celtic players celebrated on the pitch on Saturday after picking up the Premiership trophy for the third straight time, their minds would soon switch to the next match. A Scottish Cup final this weekend at Hampden Park against the Rangers could be a great way to end this season. Some of the players might have a lot to look forward to in June too.

Players like Greg Taylor and Callum McGregor were already looking forward to joining up with the Scotland squad for EURO 2024 in Germany. Anthony Ralston was in the squad for matches in March against Northern Ireland and the Netherlands as well.

He didn't get a lot of game time, just the last 16 minutes of the 4-0 defeat to the Netherlands. Ralston though should still be confident of being included in the Scotland squad for the EUROs.

It could though be so much more than a squad place. Ralson has been behind both Nathan Patterson and Aaron Hickey for the starting place in the team. But both of them are set to miss the summer tournament in Germany.

Several Celtic players awaiting key announcement

As reported by STV News, Scotland assistant manager John Carver has confirmed that both Hickey and Patterson will be missing from Euro 2024. He said about the former:

"It’s hugely disappointing, he’s not going to be fit, he’s not going to be ready for us, but he’s got a bright future ahead of him."

About Patterson, he added:

"You can also throw Nathan Patterson from Everton into that as well."

It’s possible we may see Kieran Tierney move across to the right. If so, that may open up more opportunities for Taylor at left-back, behind Andy Robertson. But it's also very possible that with his big game experience, Ralston may step up and be in the starting lineup to face Germany in the opening match of the tournament on June 14. 

That would be some turnaround having had limited game time at Celtic this season. Ralston did though slide across the pass for Luis Palma to net the winner in the final league match against St Mirren at the weekend. A timely reminder of his capabilities perhaps.

One more Celtic player will also be keen to hear the squad announced by Steve Clarke. James Forrest has been in amazing form over recent weeks for the Hoops. He has shown that his skills and his ability to score goals are still there. With Scotland dealing quite a few injuries to their players, his experience could be an asset to the national team.