Celtic prospect Tony Ralston is praying that Scotland can make it to the World Cup in Russia next summer, because he might just have an outside chance of squeezing into the squad.

Ralston’s rapid rise since from a loan spell at Queen’s Park to getting game-time in the Celtic first-team this season was topped off last week as he got to train with Gordon Strachan’s side ahead of Friday’s game against Lithuania.

And as he prepared to take on The Netherlands tonight with Scotland’s under-21s, Ralston admitted that his progress in the last year has him dreaming of making the step up to the senior squad.

Read more: Tony Ralston excites Scot Gemmill, because he wasn't excited about training with senior Scots

“We're all in this youth set-up to get to that standard, to get into the Scotland senior team,” said Ralston. “We all want, one day, to be part of that squad. 100 per cent, all the boys are here to get into that A squad.

“You can see by Friday's performance how good a squad it is, so you'd all want to be part of it.

“And we'll definitely take a lot of encouragement from the way they've been playing, going into tomorrow's game and the rest of the campaign.

“It was a great experience for me [training with the senior squad], being around very, very experienced pros and training with a really good squad.

“The couple of days I had there were a great learning curve for me.

“When we did our games in training, it was great for me to test myself, to see if I can stay at that level and compete at that level. It was a great few days of learning, I took a lot from it.

“The players were all brilliant for me, the coaching staff too.

Read more: Tony Ralston excites Scot Gemmill, because he wasn't excited about training with senior Scots

“I got a phone call a couple of days before warning me I'd be getting called up for training. It was very exciting. I'm not too sure if it was a positional thing. I'm just happy I got the call-up.

“A year ago, I couldn't have imagined training with the Scotland team.

“It gives me a good confidence boost to know that the manager is even aware of me and wanted to bring me in. You get a buzz being in around those types of players.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen. I’ve just got to keep working hard, keep my head down and see where it takes me.”

Ralston was undaunted by the task of taking on such seasoned professionals, and according to manager Gordon Strachan, the youngster acquitted himself well.

“I was up against Matt Phillips,” said Ralston. “He was a very good player.

“[Gordon Strachan] was very good with me when I came in. He was saying how I was doing well and to keep working hard.

“Those were nice things for him to say and it gives me confidence.

“He’s a very experienced manager and I learned a lot from him the two days I was in. I really enjoyed it.”

Read more: Tony Ralston excites Scot Gemmill, because he wasn't excited about training with senior Scots

What may have helped Ralston to take the experience of training with Scotland’s top players in his stride is his daily exposure to training and playing alongside his Celtic teammates.

His impressive displays so far this season when being called upon by Brendan Rodgers have also fuelled his own self-belief that he can make the grade with both club and country.

“It puts you on such a high being involved at club level,” he said. “The games I’ve played in I’ve enjoyed them all.

“It makes you want to work harder getting a taste of it and you want more.

“I’m hoping I can get more game time under my belt.”

Turning out for the champions and mixing with the cream of the country’s talent is all a far cry from Ralston’s formative years, when as a 16-year-old, he took the gamble of going out on loan to Queen’s Park.

It is an experience he would thoroughly recommend to other young professionals, crediting the exposure to football against senior pros with his rapid rise to the fringes of the Celtic starting eleven just two short years later.

“I will always be thankful to them for how they managed me and gave me the chance,” said Ralston. “Gus MacPherson too. He still keeps in contact and asks how I’m doing. For me at that age it changed my career and as a person on and off the pitch.

“It matured me and it was a big turning point. I’ll always be grateful to them.”

Read more: Tony Ralston excites Scot Gemmill, because he wasn't excited about training with senior Scots

While the future looks bright for Ralston and his club side, his concern in the here and now is tonight’s tough assignment against the Dutch in Paisley.

The last time that The Netherlands came to these shores three years ago, our youngsters were humbled by six goals to one, but Ralston doesn’t sense any trepidation in the ranks.

In fact, he feels that the fledgling Scots are ready to get their bid to qualify for the European Under-21 Championship off to a flying start.

“We're looking forward to this because the team feels ready,” he said. “We've had a good few days working together and gelling as a team.

“Whatever competition you enter, you are in it to do the best you can. That's exactly how we approach this campaign. We're here to finish in a strong position.

“I think we're well set up, we've got a great coaching team, and we've got a group of relatively experienced players now. So I think we're ready to do a good job in the campaign.

“They are obviously a great side. There's no doubt about that. But we won't fear any team we come up against.

“I personally think we've got a great squad here. So don't fear it, go in to do our best - and we have a right good chance.”