Celtic defender Auston Trusty has been a hit signing that quickly won over supporters following his move from Sheffield United in the summer.
The United States international has formed a solid partnership with Cameron Carter-Vickers, while Liam Scales presence at the back illustrates the Bhoys’ squad depth.
Despite rarely putting a foot wrong, Auston Trusty spent most of the festive period on Celtic’s bench due to a combination of illness and his Irish counterpart coming into the rearguard.
Nevertheless, Trusty repaid Brendan Rodgers’ faith with a goal against St Mirren last weekend. He also started at home to Dundee United, recording two clean sheets in the process.
While his £6 million move to Celtic last summer placed a new level of expectation on his shoulders, the 26-year-old has thrived under the pressure and has lofty goals on his mind after solidifying his place at the club.
Auston Trusty eyeing 2026 World Cup berth
Would you believe that the World Cup is set to take place next year? It feels strange that it has come around so soon, but maybe it is a sign of how times are flying.
Either way, Trusty hopes that his form with Celtic can catch the eye of United States boss Mauricio Pochettino alongside his teammate Carter-Vickers.
He said to Celtic’s official YouTube channel: “That would be amazing. I think that’s absolutely on my mind and I’m sure for Cameron too, it’s on his mind as well.”
“We have to do our job here and doing our job here allows us to propel ourselves into consideration for that team, and get the opportunities that we need. Take care of business here, then that’d be amazing.
When asked if the prospect is a realistic one, he added: “Nothing’s impossible. Everything’s realistic. It’s important you have those targets to try and strive for.
“Even before I came here, that’s the goal. I think you want chemistry, especially in the back line. You want chemistry, guys who actually know what they’re doing and playing at a high level. It doesn’t hurt us whatsoever.”
Champions League matches can be a launchpad for Auston Trusty
The World Cup is a huge ordeal for any player aspiring to feature for their country, so it is reasonable to assume that Celtic’s Champions League involvement could help Trusty’s case moving forward.
Most will regard the Bhoys’ goalless draw away to Atalanta as the game where he shot to prominence, putting on a fantastic display of robust defending to deny last season’s Europa League winners a victory on matchday three.
Carter-Vickers’ unique position as his partner and compatriot could also become a useful tool, with Pochettino already having a ready-made double-act in the ranks to step in if needed.
His best chance of achieving his dreams is to keep on the grind at Celtic for the time being. Trusting the process, or ‘TrustyTheProcess’ in his words will now become his modus operandi.
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