Scotland moved a step closer to booking their 2026 World Cup ticket by beating Belarus on Sunday in a nerve-racking qualifier.

On paper, it sounds simple, but it wasn’t the case for Steve Clarke’s side, with Anthony Ralston starting at right-back and then being replaced by his Celtic teammate, Kieran Tierney.

Che Adams put Scotland ahead in the first half, but the home side weren’t able to provide Hampden with more goals during an encouraging opening 45 minutes.

That’s when things started to unravel for the Scots, with Belarus clearly proving to be the better side after the break, including having a goal chalked off, as many of their attacks were coming down Ralston’s side, hence why Celtic’s back-up defender was hauled off after 72 minutes.

Kieran Tierney celebrates Scott McTominay's goal for Scotland against Belarus in a World Cup qualifier at Hampden.Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty ImagesFans react to Celtic hero Kieran Tierney playing as a right-back for Scotland

Rather than turn to a natural right-sided fullback, Clarke opted for the experience of Tierney, and it drew an interesting reaction from the Scotland fans.

It’s fair to say a large chunk of them don’t want to see it again, and would rather see Tierney playing ahead of Andy Robertson at left-back.

Either way, after Ralston’s strong performance against Greece last time out, he was verbally battered for how he performed against Belarus.

@scotball_ posed the question: ‘After his cameo this evening, would you rather see Scotland play with Kieran Tierney at right-back instead of Tony Ralston if Aaron Hickey is unavailable?’

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@C82Design suggested Tierney should be playing instead of Andy Robertson: ‘I wonder if he’d be better just playing left back instead of Andy Robertson, who has had two very poor games in a row for Scotland now.’

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@itsmaxmackenzie thinks Tierney is better off as a sub: ‘I just don’t think we should build around someone with so many injury issues. He’s a fantastic player and brings so much to the squad, but he’s unreliable when it comes to injury. I’d rather place him as a great sub when he’s healthy than starting him over true RBs.’

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@SPFL_Fitba_Fan analysed Ralston and Tierney: ‘Sorry, but no. Yes, TR had a nightmare, but so did the whole team. And when KT was on, he was constantly facing his own goal and playing it backwards. Only remember him going forward once. It did show the drop off from Hickey. We need him fit for November.’

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Ralston should look away now, as @stukscott added: ‘Max Johnston before Tierney, Tierney before Ralston…anyone in the squad before Ralston.’

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@gtfweirdo prefers Tierney to remain at left-back: ‘Dearie me. If you think that KT is the right back solution, I want your dealer. The bigger question is if either him or Robertson should be LB in this team tbh. Ross M or Max J should be the choice after Hickey.’

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Another fan who doesn’t want a change at right-back, as @PaulRydel stated: ‘I’d much rather see Tierney replace Robertson at left back and pray Hickey is fit.’

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Robertson taking the hits, as @OMccarrey added: ‘I’d rather have him at left back over Robertson who’s been hiding in a Scotland jersey for years now.’

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And the theme continued, as @Jim_Newlands stated: ‘Nope….it looked disjointed as hell on the right. Tierney should take Robertson’s place on the left…..he was anonymous again tonight.’

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@Manresssa thinks this could be Tierney’s final bow on the international stage: ‘This will be his last tournament sadly. It’s gone now and he really needs to look after what time he has left as a footballer.’

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@Rab75A doesn’t think it’s fair on Tierney: ‘Surely we have another RB lol tk be honest it’s not fair on Tierney either.’

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How can Scotland qualify for the 2026 World Cup?

Celtic hero Kasper Schmeichel has provided Scotland with a helping hand because his Denmark side, who are in the same group, beat Greece hours after the win over Belarus.

But when the next international break arrives in November, Schmeichel could become public enemy number one in Scotland because it’s his Denmark side who stand in the way of Clarke’s men reaching the 2026 World Cup.

After four games – with two to play – Scotland are second in Group C on ten points, level with the Danes, who they meet next month at Hampden.

Greece are in third on three points, with their hopes out of the window, but Scotland will play Greece before that dreaded final game against Denmark.

A draw against the Greeks and a win against Denmark would do the trick, unless the latter, somehow, falters against Belarus, which is unlikely to happen.