Auston Trusty has spoken out on the “negativity” around the Scottish title race between Celtic, Hearts and Rangers.
The defender is currently on international duty with the USA, though he played no part in their humbling 5-2 defeat to Belgium in Atlanta on Saturday.
Instead, he has been discussing events back in Scotland, with Celtic’s potential dethroning by Hearts drawing attention around the world.
Trusty isn’t being swayed by that, however, insisting that he won’t let others write the story of the season.
Why do you think Auston Trusty has played his best football under Martin O’Neill this season?
Auston Trusty says people ‘like’ Hearts story more than Celtic
Trusty told The Inquirer: “It’s really our trophy to take.
“Yes, we’ve had a lot of ups and downs this year, but I think if it was years before, the trophy would be ours and we’d be in really good standing.
READ MORE: Celtic’s Daizen Maeda admits he ‘didn’t know how to do a coin toss’ as Japan captain vs Scotland
“But, obviously, we’ve kind of made it difficult on ourselves this year — we gave other people a chance to make a run for themselves, so now we’re playing catch-up.
“When someone new comes in, negativity sells. If Celtic or the big guys or aren’t doing so well, [a team] like Hearts could possibly win the league. People like that story a little better.”
Trusty made his mentality known amid widespread coverage of USA boss Mauricio Pochettino’s “why not us” message earlier this week. Bear in mind that he was speaking before the Belgium thrashing.
The Celtic stalwart said: “It’s kind of the mindset you have to take.
“Even to become a professional athlete, you just have to have the mindset of, ‘Why not me? Why can’t I be the one to make it pro?
“‘Why can’t I be the one to put myself, my family, in a [good] position while being pro?’ It’s a collective.
“Why not us? Why can’t we go far in the World Cup? Why can’t we win the World Cup? So, really, that mindset drives a lot.”
Trusty has made just three appearances for the USA since signing for Celtic, but will take encouragement from being included in their last squad ahead of the home tournament.
Cameron Carter-Vickers, his teammate at both club and international level, is unlikely to be fit for the tournament due to a long-term Achilles injury.
Do you agree with Charlie Mulgrew, Celtic fans?
Very interesting take!
A mixed international break for Celtic players so far
There have been highs and lows for Celtic’s players so far in this break.
Hyunjun Yang’s costly error for South Korea in their 4-0 defeat to Ivory Coast will be a blow for his hopes of appearing at this summer’s tournament.
However, Daizen Maeda had the honour of captaining Japan for the first time as they ran out 1-0 winners against Scotland at Hampden.
It’s also been a happy week for Sebastian Tounekti, who scored his first international goal in Tunisia’s 1-0 win over Haiti.
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