The October international break stopped Celtic fans from being able to see if they could build on their late win over Motherwell.
Ten Celtic players went on international duty, including Anthony Ralston and Kieran Tierney, earning their usual calls to Scotland.
Steve Clarke’s side picked up two crucial wins to boost their hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup next summer, including beating Greece and Belarus.
Tierney came off the bench for both of those matches, with Ralston starting the Belarus game on Sunday, and he was hauled off after 71 minutes.
Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty ImagesKieran Tierney replaces Anthony Ralston at right-back for Scotland
Che Adams opened the scoring in the first half, and things were looking fine for the Scots heading into the break.
But then Belarus, who are considered minnows, ran all over Scotland in the second half, and McFadden told BBC Two Scotland that the issue was with Ralston’s side.
That’s why Clarke hauled off the Celtic man after 71 minutes, but McFadden was left ‘surprised’ when the man to replace him was Tierney.
“Slightly surprised (with Tierney coming on at right-back),” said McFadden. “You have got Max Johnston and Josh Mulligan on the bench, not coming on.
“But I am not surprised that the change has been made down the right-hand side because that is where Belarus are getting their joy.
“All their threat has been down that side. Steve Clarke is looking at Tierney to deal with it slightly better.”
Commentator: “He has played right-back for Scotland before, and actually, the results were good. Gordon Strachan had him out there for a period of time.”
72′ | Substitution for Scotland.
ON: John Souttar & Kieran tierney.
OFF: Anthony Ralston & Jack Hendry,
🏴 1 – 0 🇧🇾 pic.twitter.com/5N9awIKur7
— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) October 12, 2025
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Ralston’s numbers for Scotland against Belarus
Aaron Hickey is considered Scotland’s main right-back, but he was injured, hence why Ralston came into the XI.
Yes, Clarke was pretty unhappy after the match, but it was more the whole team than just how the Scots were defending down Ralston’s side.
Either way, Sofascore handed the Celtic man a 7.1 rating.
Minutes: 71Touches: 67Key Passes: 1Passes in the opposition half: 16/24 Interceptions: 1Clearances: 1Blocked shots: 1Dribbled past: 0