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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Ben Banks

Celtic ace starting before Motherwell star 'defies logic' as pundits agree on Scotland position debate

Motherwell captain Stephen O'Donnell has been tipped to break the club's Scotland cap record on Monday by starting ahead of Celtic star Anthony Ralston.

The right-back has enjoyed a strong start to the season with the Hoops and has earned a very late call-up for Monday's final World Cup 2022 Group F qualifier against Denmark.

Ralston is called upon with Rangers' Nathan Patterson suspended. Scotland have already qualified for the tournament play-offs next year, although a positive result is needed against the Danes for seeding purposes.

Patterson has been first choice at right-wing-back in recent matches but Scots head coach Steve Clarke still has two options in the position on Monday.

Debating on Sportsound, former Scotland striker Kenny Miller believes O'Donnell should start: "I think it will be O'Donnell.

"I think Steve Clarke is very loyal to the lads who have done it in the past. He is the back-up by the nature of the group in the past. So I would expect Stephen O'Donnell to play."

O'Donnell could break Motherwell's appearance record if he starts ahead of the Celtic man. (SNS Group / SFA)

Fellow pundit Rory Loy agrees that Motherwell's right-back will be called upon from the start, and by doing so, will become the club's record Scotland cap holder. He is currently joint-top with George Stevenson on 12.

Loy added: "You would have to ask why Ralston wasn't in the initial squad if Ralston starts ahead of O'Donnell.

"To bring Ralston in and play him ahead of O'Donnell defies logic to me. I would expect O'Donnell to start as he's done us proud before."

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