Celtic's trusted lieutenant makes squad claim despite transfer clamour and bid to avoid 'crazy' story
Defender has not missed a minute in two months - but there are no complaints
So much of Celtic’s focus has been on the lack of options in attack - but the squad is also a little light at the back too.
The recalling of Stephen Welsh from his loan at Motherwell earlier this week gives manager Martin O’Neill a little more wriggle room should he decide to rotate his centre halves on Sunday against Auchinleck Talbot in the Scottish Cup. With Cameron Carter-Vickers out with a long-term Achilles issue, it has fallen upon Liam Scales and Auston Trusty to be at the heart of Celtic’s defence.
Celtic were alarmingly open during the brief and ill-fated tenure of Wilfried Nancy. Beforehand they had kept four domestic clean sheets in a row under O’Neill and since the Northern Irishman’s return, the Premiership champions have shut out Dundee United and Falkirk.
The football may not be spectacular right now but bolting the door shut has been a big part of keeping Celtic in the hunt for honours.
"We have reacted to it well,” Trusty said of O’Neill’s return and a switch from Nancy’s 3-4-3 to a clearly more stable 4-3-3. "Celtic has been dominant playing a certain way, with a certain idea. It's back to basics and that's what you get.”
The trip to Rugby Park to face non-league side Auchinleck feels like a more straightforward assignment now that O’Neill has corrected Nancy’s wrongs. Defeat in Kilmarnock would be the greatest shock in the Scottish Cup’s illustrious history. The chances are that the Celtic manager will play it safe as he bids to retain momentum ahead of facing Bologna in the Europa League and Hearts in the Premiership next weekend.
Trusty has played every minute for Celtic since November 22 - 14 matches in total. "I do what the team needs - it's not my decision,” he said of facing the West of Scotland League side. "I go out there every day to prove that I can play. If they want rest people, it's not up to me. If I'm called upon, I'll do my duty.”
Trusty is honest when he is asked about Auchinleck. "I'm afraid I don't know much about them,” the 27-year-old said. "We can't take anything lightly. When you have that mindset, that's when things go wrong.
"We have to treat it in every way the way we treat every other game. You see every year crazy stories happening. Interesting things happen and it comes down to your mindset.”
‘We have the strongest squad in Scotland’
Celtic lost their grip on the Premier Sports Cup when they lost the final last month to St Mirren. Yet they still have the chance to secure a double - and Trusty is well aware of what is on offer for the rest of the season.
"The mindset is to retain the league title,” the American stated. "We had a blip in the season when things didn't go our way. We still have a really strong squad. I think we have the strongest squad in Scotland. It's just about continuing this path.
"Not everything always goes your way in football. This time last year, I'm not sure how clear we were. It's not always going to go amazingly your way. This is the spot we're in in the table. I have full belief in the squad to get there."
Trusty also has a World Cup goal to aim for. Capped five times by USA, he is in set-up under Mauricio Pochettino and a strong second half of the campaign would enhance his chances of being involved at the tournament on home soil.
"It's my goal and my dream to play at the World Cup,” added Trusty. "To play on home turf in the States and represent America would be a dream come true. I'm not in the States right now but I'm on social media. Once the NFL season tapers off, it'll be World Cup time. All the hype is coming up.”
It has not been entirely plain sailing under the former Spurs manager Pochettino but Trusty has enjoyed working under him. The States are in Group D alongside Paraguay, Australia and either Turkey, Romania, Slovakia and Kosovo. It is a navigable pool.
"He has been great and he's a fantastic coach,” Trusty commented on the coach. "All of us really respect him. We want to play for him any time we can.
"Hopefully my family will make it to the games but they're on the opposite coast. I'm from the east coast in Philadelphia. Our games are in LA, Seattle and back in LA.”
Auchinleck may not be as glamourous as the west coast of America but for now, the focus has to be on domestic matters.
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