We live in a scapegoat culture, especially when it comes to football. We need someone to blame for all the ills and mistakes that players make at both club and international level.

Step forward, Anthony Ralston.

It's not easy being Ralston when you are constantly battered from pillar to post. Yours truly had to eat huge amounts of humble pie when Ralston was called up for his country. Previously, I had bemoaned his lack of quality as a Celtic player. I was a vociferous critic.

However, I held my hand up to that one as Ralston won me over with his mental strength and fortitude as well as a certain 97th-minute winner in Dingwall against Ross County during the Ange Postecoglou era. I admire Ralston as a player alone for not giving the proverbial two fucks at what anybody ever writes or says about him.

Ralston has played a total of 51 minutes for Celtic this season, so far. He's managed a goal in that time incidentally. He started six games for the men in green and white last season and has been an unused substitute in 12 consecutive Champions League matches for his club.

Ralston hasn't sampled any European football for over two-and-a-half years with Celtic. Yet all of a sudden the Celtic right-back was thrust into the international spotlight due to injuries to Aaron Hickey and Nathan Paterson. It was Ralston who got the nod to start every game for Steve Clarke's Scotland at Euro 2024 in June.

He was pilloried for his performance against Germany when the Scots lost 5-1.

He was slaughtered for his misplaced pass that led to Xherdan Shaqiri's equaliser in the 1-1 draw with Switzerland.

He was hounded for his display against Hungary in the 1-0 loss that saw the Scots bow out of the tournament at the first hurdle... again!

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If all else fails Ralston appears to be the regular go-to guy for criticism. Although Scotland's skipper Andy Robertson said this of him after the Swiss match: "Not many people would come back from that. It was a difficult one for him, but in, the second half, Anthony was different class." He was, but nobody wanted to talk about that. Not when it comes to Ralston.

A glance on social media would also tell you that fans of other Scottish football clubs - one in particular - are not fully paid members of the Ralston Tartan Army Fan Club. Funny that, isn't it?

The long knives were out in force for Ralston once again after Thursday night's 3-2 loss to Poland in the opening match of the UEFA Nations League at Hampden Park. Ralston had the most Ralston game ever for his country. He was having the proverbial stormer for 43 minutes registering 100 per cent stats in passing, long-range passing, dribbling and tackling. He had even 60 per cent of ground duels.

Then it happened, the moment that many wanted to use an excuse for the stick to beat Ralston over the head with. The Celtic defender brought down Nicola Zalewski in the box and Robert Lewandowski made it 2-0 to Poland to notch his 84th international goal from the resulting penalty kick.

Ralston rallied again and it was his excellent and accurate low cutback that set up Scott McTominay for Scotland's equaliser before the hosts succumbed to a stoppage-time penalty which was converted by Roma winger Zalewski after Grant Hanley had needlessly given it away.

Once again Ralston refused to yield. He stood up to be counted in the face of adversity and if you watch his ball back to McTominay it has class stamped all over it. Ralston does lack the quality of truly international-class players, granted, but the fact that he was one of the main architects who dragged Scotland back into the game will simply be glossed over and swept under the carpet.

Too many people will want to home in on his defensive deficiencies and failings. It's an unforgiving environment, especially if you are Ralston. Much maligned doesn't begin to cover it when it comes to Ralston where every error is placed under the microscope and dissected to the nth degree. No other Celtic or Scotland player is subjected to such scrutiny.

Perhaps people should start listening more to Ralston's teammates to see what they think of him. After all, they know him best. Celtic skipper Callum McGregor who was no stranger to criticism himself when he represented his country - Graeme Souness, anyone? - has described Ralston as a 'big character' and an 'honest boy'.

Canadian international and Celtic teammate Alistair Johnson said this of Ralston in the summer after he was enjoying an extended break helping his country into the Copa America semi-finals. Johnston said: "We’ve got Tony Ralston, who is more than capable of being one of the best fullbacks in this league."

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(Image: Craig Foy - SNS Group)

That's high praise indeed from the very player who Ralston is vying with to be an automatic starter for Celtic. The 25-year-old must have something though as Clarke and Brendan Rodgers like having him around for Scotland and Celtic.

It was Gordon Strachan who famously spoke about squad players being 'good teammates'. Ralston is probably one of the best teammates you could get. Celtic will always need players like Ralston. Homegrown, low maintenance and on the lower end of the pay grade.

However, I tell you what Ralston does have: guts, spirit, determination, heart. In abundance. You are guaranteed 100 per cent commitment to the Celtic and Scotland cause no matter who the opposition is from Ralston. He is committed to the challenge of every match that he plays. He also has a bang-on-the-money delivery when it comes to out from the wide right area and he can score goals as well. Although you may need to mention those traits quietly as they don't ever seem to be overhyped when your second name is Ralston.

Rodgers is certain to rotate his squad this season due to Celtic fighting on four fronts and Ralston will see lots of game time. He still has a huge role to play as a Celtic squad player. Ralston is the 'Rocky Balboa' character of the Celtic team. He is still the punchbag for a section of the Celtic supporters and media pundits alike whose favourite pastime is to rain down verbal blows on him. However, he remains the sporting underdog that you root for always.

He will continue to divide opinion but he won't ever shirk or hide. He will answer the call whenever it comes for both club and country. 'The Brickie' indeed. Well 'The Brickie' must have a stone for a heart as criticism is available in many colours as long as it's green and white - just ask Ralston. It's high time people started accentuating the positives about Ralston as a footballer. The negativity is getting boring now. It's time to change the record. Ironically enough Ralston knows where he is appreciated most.

Perhaps it was Postecoglou who summed up Ralston best in the aftermath of that famous winning goal in Dingwall. The Aussie said: "He's a warrior, he's a soldier, he loves this football club and he wants to make a career for himself." Ralston has made a career for himself and then some for both Celtic and Scotland. That's enough to earn a modicum of respect.

Ralston will never be the GOAT. But, let me be clear: he ain't no scapegoat either.