Celtic man eases Parkhead pain with crushing win as ex-Rangers star sparks flurry of goals

Trusty, 28, came in for some stinging criticism in the 1-0 defeat to Rangers in the Scottish Premiership last Sunday, with the American deemed to be at fault for Ryan Naderi’s winning goal in the 33rd minute, when he wasn’t quick enough to react as the Rangers forward capitalised on a parried save from Viljami Sinisalo to slam into a largely open net.

Making his first appearance since that painful defeat, the Philadelphia-born centre-back was named in Mauricio Pochettino’s starting XI for the United States’ clash with Peru, and he produced a strong defensive performance as his national team played for the first time since their 4-1 defeat to Belgium in the last 16 of the World Cup earlier this summer.

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The home side got off to a perfect start at Inter.com Stadium, with teenage striker Justin Ellis opening the scoring just four minutes in on his international debut, and Giovanni Reyna’s free-kick header into the top corner of Pedro Gallese’s net. The lead lasted just 10 minutes, though, as experienced hitman Gianluca Lapadula headed home an equaliser when Peru capitalised on slack defending from Trusty’s defensive partner, George Campbell.

The United States were invigorated after the break though, with former Rangers loan star Malik Tillman producing a superb second-half display that saw him create several opportunities for his side. They restored their lead in the 66th minute when 16-year-old winger Cavan Sullivan was shoved over in the area, and Tillman made no mistake from the spot.

Pochettino’s side added to the scoreline in the 72nd when another teenage debutant, Julian Hall, tapped home from close range just minutes after being substituted on. Sebastian Berhalter completed the scoring in the final minute with a stunning 25-yard drive. Following the game, Celtic defender Trusty was praised for his impressive display at the heart of the defence. Playing the full 90 minutes, he recorded a 92 per cent passing accuracy rate, won all but one aerial duel and made five clearances during the clash.

Elsewhere, Rangers striker Bojan Miovski had an afternoon to forget as North Macedonia suffered a 3-0 home defeat to Switzerland in their Nations League opener in Skopje. Drawn in the same group as Scotland, the 28-year-old was named in the starting XI for the game as they welcomed a Switzerland side that was without captain Granit Xhaka, who had withdrawn from the squad earlier in the week, due to an investigation over claims he obtained a fake COVID-19 vaccination certificate back in 2022.

The absence of their skipper did not affect the visitors, though, who went ahead through midfielder Remo Freuler after just 22 minutes, before Burnley attacker Zeki Amdouni doubled the lead four minutes before the break. Early in the second period, Miovski was replaced by Azer Omeragikj as the hosts tried to find a way back into the game.

Departing the field in the 56th minute, the Rangers man was largely ineffective, touching the ball just 14 times. However, substitute Omeragikj was also unable to affect proceedings as Amdouni grabbed his second of the game to seal a comfortable win in the 71st minute. Scotland face both teams over the next week in the Nations League, with Switzerland taking on Sebastien Pocognoli’s side at Hampden Park on Tuesday (September 29), before the Belgian head coach takes his side to North Macedonia next Saturday (October 3).

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