Auston Trusty has been one of the big success stories of Martin O’Neill’s interim Celtic spell.
Signed for £6 million from Sheffield United last year, the left-footed centre-back was expected to take the place of Liam Scales in Celtic’s back four.
In the end, injuries to Cameron Carter-Vickers ended up seeing them largely operating together. This season, Scales’ form has made him undroppable, forcing Trusty onto the bench.
When Carter-Vickers sustained an injury a few weeks ago, Brendan Rodgers opted to start Dane Murray over Trusty in the defeat to Hearts at Tynecastle. This decision didn’t age well, and Rodgers suddenly departed the next day.
Trusty has re-entered the side under O’Neill, being rewarded with a recall to the US National Team. He has been discussing his return to the USA side while on international duty.
Celtic’s Auston Trusty on being a winger in his youth
It was a perfect return to international action for Trusty, who played 90 minutes as his side ran riot with a 5-1 win over Uruguay.
With a home World Cup on offer next summer, Trusty will not want to pass up on the opportunity to travel with Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
READ MORE: Winger Celtic missed out on last year has ‘enquiries’ over €35m Premier League move
Trusty popped up with an assist in the rout, and credited his attacking contribution to his days playing as a winger.
He told The Athletic: “It’s one of the big benefits of how I play.
“When I play with two centre-backs, or even if I’m playing with three centre-backs, I’m very mobile. I just play the game and respond to what it gives.
“In any situation I’m more than happy, more than capable of taking in space and being aggressive and being in a more offensive role. Some centre-backs want to kind of stay back in their zone.
“Look, at the same time, I love to defend. But yeah, I enjoy getting forward and making numerical advantages that are difficult for the other team.
“Back in the day I used to be a forward until I was 16. Maybe that’s why I like to always creep up there.
“I was basically a winger for a long time, even if I always knew I was a centre-back deep down.
“When I got to the academy stages, I just felt: put me in the back because if I’m going to do anything in this profession, I’m just going to be the defender because. It’s what I have most joy doing.”
Auston Trusty and Celtic’s potential move to a back three under Wilfried Nancy
In the Uruguay match, Trusty operated on the left side of a back three for the US. He might need to get used to that.
Wilfried Nancy’s arrival as manager seems imminent, and the Columbus Crew boss has almost exclusively used a back three during his time in MLS.
If that continues in Glasgow, it will force a rejig of the Celtic defence. Alistair Johnston has previously played under Nancy as a wing-back, but Kieran Tierney’s place in the equation is less obvious.
Tierney has played on the left side of a back three for Scotland. Could he still work as a wing-back? Will Murray come back into the side?
All will seemingly be revealed…
What would your starting XI look like against Feyenoord?
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