For a country with so little history of beating Brazil in any age group, that memory stands out. The report says Ralston was part of the Scotland Under-20 side that won 1-0 and went on to reach the semi-finals of the tournament.
That does not make him a guaranteed starter for Steve Clarke, but it does add an intriguing detail to his international story. Ralston has often had to fight for attention at club and country level, yet he keeps reappearing because managers tend to trust his discipline, energy and reliability.
The second Ralston line in the report may be even more revealing: “Nós entramos com a atitude de que eram 11 contra 11, sem pensar neles como o Brasil, e fomos para o jogo.”
That mentality fits the player people think they know. He is not usually discussed as a headline-grabber, but he does carry a straightforward, competitive edge. Against elite opponents, that mindset matters. Treat the badge with respect, but not fear - that is often the first step toward producing anything memorable.
There is also a timely backdrop here. As Celtic prepare for the Scottish Cup final, Ralston heads into camp with silverware on his mind and a chance to strengthen his place in the national-team picture.
The next question is simple: can this distinctive piece of backstory become something bigger? If Ralston gets minutes this summer, his old result against Brazil will be revisited - but what matters more now is whether he can turn a rare anecdote into a fresh chapter for Scotland.