'Hell of a shift': Celtic ace backed for major role as Martin O'Neill given injury boost ahead of Dundee test

Trusty, who was was making his sixth appearance for his country, continued his impressive recent form before being taken off, recording nine clearances, six recoveries, two blocks, and winning 100 per cent of his aerial duels. Despite his efforts, it was Portugal who won comfortably at Mercedes-Benz Stadium with goals from Trincao and Joao Felix in each half.

Already without several first-team players, there were concerns that Trusty could join Celtic’s lengthy absentee list, which already includes Alistair Johnston, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Julian Araujo and Kasper Schmeichel. With a crucial game at Dens Park coming up on Sunday, the sight of the centre-back limping off added to Martin O’Neill’s concerns.

However, the American defender has erased those fears by confirming he is fully fit and was just suffering from cramp at the end of the clash. Replying to a fan on his official X page on social media, Trusty wrote: “Just cramped in both calves at the same time. All good.”

Trusty was handed a ringing endorsement for his performance against Roberto Martinez’s team by former United States international Charlie Davies. "I think he made the World Cup roster, by the way, on tonight’s performance,” Davies said. “Trusty has put in a hell of a shift”.

Co-host, and former US international goalkeeper Tony Meola echoed these thoughts, saying: "His stock has probably lifted more than anyone’s in this camp. He’s at the top or somewhere near the top of that list – my biggest positive, if you will, is that we have found another centre-back that we feel comfortable putting in."

Currently five points behind league leaders Hearts, and two behind rivals Rangers in second, Celtic are facing a real battle to hang onto their Scottish Premiership crown as they approach the final seven games of the season, and failure to win against Dundee this weekend feels non-negotiable.

Meanwhile, Trusty’s on-loan defensive teammate Benjamin Arthur has lavished praise on Dundee head coach Steven Pressley ahead of Sunday’s game in the City of Discovery. The 20-year-old centre-back revealed that he shared a close bond with the 52-year-old during his time at Brentford as an Individual Player Development [IDP] coach.

“He’s also a very smart guy,” said Arthur. “He knows a lot about the game, he’s had loads of experience. He was an IPD coach at Brentford so I had a very close relationship with him. I did a lot of work with him on and off the pitch. He did loads for me. As soon as I came to Brentford, he took me under his wing, he helped me learn a lot about communication, positioning.

“We went over every game for 30 minutes after it, going through clips, how I could learn, things I’ve done well. He had a great career, so for me it was learning as much as I could off him, taking things he would tell me day by day and just keep learning off him.”

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