Chris Sutton admits witnessing Celtic star’s Atalanta display was a ‘pleasant surprise’

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Chris Sutton has singled out almost every Celtic player from the midweek Champions League draw with Atalanta.

But it was Auston Trusty, the club’s £6m summer signing from Sheffield United, who surprised the former Celtic striker on the night.

The defensive masterclass in Bergamo was characterised by a will and determination to fight right until the end and that spirit wasn’t exemplified any better than Trusty.

The 26-year-old played alongside Liam Scales at the heart of the Celtic defence and put in his best performance in the famous green and white yet.

• READ MORE: Why Brendan Rodgers ‘will look closely’ at Liverpool ahead of Celtic’s next Champions League clash

Celtic’s Auston Trusty caught Sutton’s eye

His authority at the back was unmatched and he won almost every aerial duel he challenged for. Trusty was completely rock solid and Sutton has rightly handed out praise for him.

Writing in his weekly Daily Record column, Sutton was impressed by Trusty’s sheer ‘desire’ to defend for 96 minutes in Italy.

The Celtic hero wrote: “The Irishman (Liam Scales) and Auston Trusty were superb at centre-back and I have to say that the American’s performance was a pleasant surprise.

“The pair displayed a defensive desire which I just didn’t see in Dortmund.”

Sutton hails numerous Celtic stars after Atalanta

Sutton went on and said: “I can’t think of the last game I saw Alistair Johnston defend with such caution, in terms of his positioning.

“The Canadian rarely made his breaking runs and was quite right to stay in station, in touch with his centre-backs. Same for Alex Valle, who stayed tight and close to Liam Scales on his side.

“The midfield boys were more disciplined. Callum McGregor, Arne Engels and Reo Hatate stayed mainly flat, narrow and compact, with Paulo Bernardo and Luke McCowan also excellent coming on to add even more energy to the resistance.

“(Kasper) Schmeichel just oozes calm and, although it didn’t look flashy, the save with his legs from Mario Pasalic was top class and so was the positioning to deny Mateo Retegui.

“Of course it’s fine margins. Everything Dortmund hit went in the net, whereas Atalanta’s best chances either struck the bar, went straight in Schmeichel’s direction or were off target.”