Brendan Rodgers is still trying to work out what is his strongest Celtic XI.
One of the positions he has been chopping and changing is at centre-back, with Auston Trusty and Liam Scales fighting for that regular starting spot.
Cameron Carter-Vickers is the main man at the back, but Rodgers can’t seem to decide who is the man to partner him on a long-term basis.
Scales was outstanding last season and it was a breakthrough campaign for the Irishman after years of being on the outside.
But to enhance Celtic’s squad, the powers that be spent big on Trusty from Sheffield United this summer and he clearly wasn’t brought in to warm the bench.
However, Trusty was taken off at half-time against Rangers, as the Bhoys went on to win the League Cup final via a penalty shootout last month.
It wasn’t a great game for the American, but his fellow centre-back didn’t exactly showcase anything better during that Ibrox horror show after the New Year, so what is it like facing the duo?
Kyle Vassell says Liam Scales is more difficult to face than Auston Trusty
One man who has led the line against Scales and Trusty is Kilmarnock striker, Kyle Vassell and he shared an insight into what they are like.
Vassell was absent for Celtic’s Scottish Cup win over Kilmarnock on Saturday, but he admitted that he has ‘struggled’ with Scales before.
The 31-year-old told Open Goal that Scales is ‘a little bit smarter’ and he likes the challenge of Trusty because he prefers being more physical.
“So, I played against Trusty at the beginning of the season with Scales and I think he is quite physical,” said Vassell. “He wants to win a lot and on Saturday I thought he was really good in the air. That suits me. I like to fight defenders.
“I think Scales is a little bit smarter. He will let me take my touch and then, as long as I go backwards, he has kind of done his job. So I would say that I struggled a bit more with Scales. My job is to hold the ball up, at least with Trusty, you can get tight and roll him. I would say Scales.
“But I would agree with your point he (Trusty) needs a run of games.”
Trusty v Scales stats for Celtic this season
Celtic host Young Boys in the Champions League on Wednesday night and you suspect Rodgers will play the same XI that beat Killie.
That includes Trusty, despite his up and down form after the New Year, but perhaps he needs those run of matches to really prove his worth.
Over the course of the season, the USMNT international has been rated 7.39 by WhoScored for his Premiership performances and below seven for his Champions League displays.
On the other hand, Scales has been rated 7.65 for his Premiership displays and slightly better than Trusty in Europe.
| Tournament (Trusty) | Apps | Goals | Tackles | Clear | Inter | AerialsWon | MotM | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premiership | 13 | 1 | 2.1 | 3.3 | 0.7 | 4.3 | 1 | 7.39 |
| Champions League | 5(1) | – | 2.8 | 4.2 | 0.5 | 1.7 | 1 | 6.73 |
| Tournament (Scales) | Apps | Goals | Assists | Tackles | Clear | Inter | AerialsWon | MotM | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premiership | 16(2) | 2 | 2 | 1.1 | 4.8 | 0.9 | 5.8 | 2 | 7.65 |
| Champions League | 3(1) | 1 | – | 1.8 | 4.5 | 1 | 4 | – | 6.94 |
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