Derek McInnes critical of ‘a bit ungainly’ Celtic defender

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Celtic’s backline has gone through an interesting time this season.

Brendan Rodgers’ side didn’t concede a goal until the seventh Premiership game against Ross County, and after 20 Premiership matches, only four goals were conceded.

It was a remarkable start by Celtic’s backline, but then, after the turn of the year, the goals started flooding in, including three goals in back-to-back matches against Rangers, three at Dundee, and two at St Mirren and Hibernian.

During that period, Auston Trusty has been in and out of the XI, after securing a summer transfer to the champions of Scotland from then-relegated, Sheffield United.

Trusty has battled Liam Scales for a starting spot, with Cameron Carter-Vickers remaining the main centre-back and the regular performer for Brendan Rodgers.

But during Celtic’s win over Hibernian on Saturday, Carter-Vickers was absent, with Trusty starting alongside Liam Scales.

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Derek McInnes critical of Celtic defender Auston Trusty

The last time David Gray’s side visited Celtic Park in the Premiership, they caused the Treble-chasers many problems, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that they opened the scoring over the weekend.

Martin Boyle was the man who put the ball in the back of Celtic’s net after 25 minutes, and Trusty will want to look away because his defending left a little to be desired.

Derek McInnes analysed Trusty’s defending for that moment, including how he looked ‘ungainly’, as he lost his balance and unintentionally put the ball into the path of the alert Boyle, as he told Sky Sports Football (11/05/25).

“They made a change at centre-back,” said McInnes. “Trusty there looks a wee bit ungainly off his wrong side playing at right-sided centre-back, and Boyle is good enough to capitalise.

“Brendan, over the years, when he has got a Scottish Cup final. He normally keeps playing his strongest team.”

On Hibs’ record against Celtic, Kris Boyd stated: “Celtic can do that to teams. No wins in 22 for Hibs at Celtic Park. Four wins since 1985. That’s a long time. It’s incredible.”

Trusty’s stats for Celtic against Hibernian

Celtic fans are divided on the backline and whether or not the manager needs to bring in another centre-back when the summer transfer window re-opens.

It’s clear that Maik Nawrocki will now leave, because even when he has been given a chance and performed, he has been put to the side by Rodgers.

Then there is a divide over Trusty and Scales, especially when they play in the bigger games, as WhoScored rated the American’s performance at 7.29 against Hibs.