Auston Trusty’s Celtic career has got off to a mixed start after his opening three appearances since joining from Sheffield United during the summer window.
The United States international has been drafted in to play alongside Liam Scales, while Cameron Carter-Vickers remains absent due to injury for the Bhoys.
Starting against Falkirk, St Johnstone, and during midweek, Auston Trusty’s introduction has yielded a solitary clean sheet, and nine goals conceded, which isn’t a fair reflection on him, seeing as seven came in Celtic’s 7-1 Champions League defeat to Borussia Dortmund.
Like many of his teammates, the United States international couldn’t stop the bleeding at Signal Iduna Park. In the circumstances, you clean the slate and move on after a forgettable day at the office.
While some will have already formed assumptions about Trusty after he moved to Celtic for £6 million last month, there is a key caveat that should be factored into pre-conceptions.
Auston Trusty has drawn the Celtic ‘short straw’
After Celtic’s victory over St Johnstone last weekend, defensive partner Scales complemented Trusty’s ‘brilliant’ performance for the Bhoys and eluded to the fact his American counterpart drew the ‘short straw’ in filling in on the right-hand side of the backline.
The Irishman stated: “Auston was brilliant against St Johnstone. He didn’t look out of place at all.
“He didn’t look uncomfortable, and that’s brilliant. We’re two lefties, and he got the short straw playing on the right! But he was so solid on the ground and in the air. He was really, really good.
“He’s a top player, and I think, whoever it is, we’re ready as we’ve had a chance to play with each other now.
“I’ve no preference because we have so many good players in each position that we can deal with injuries here and there.
“Cam’s a massive player for us, but I keep saying that strength and depth is massive. There is real competition for places.”
Why did Celtic sign Auston Trusty?
When evaluating Trusty’s move to Celtic, you would immediately point to his left-sidedness as a defining reason for his arrival. Competent defenders comfortable on that side are a rarity at the elite level and add significant balance in progressing the ball forward.
Furthermore, the American has Premier League experience, albeit in a Sheffield United side that couldn’t keep themselves above water last season.
Brendan Rodgers told Trusty he believes in his quality at Celtic as the defender said after signing: “The manager told me to be the best that I can be, that’s off the pitch, as a teammate and everything on the pitch.
“He said that he believes in me and believes in everything I can do, it’s up to me and he’ll provide me with the environment where I can thrive.”
Despite the temptation to make a two-footed assumption about a player, give Trusty some time before making unfair observations.
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