Why Auston Trusty could become a cornerstone of Celtic’s defence

A strong, mobile left-sided central defender with English Premier League experience, international experience with the USA, and a growing reputation, he was earmarked as the long-term partner for Cameron Carter-Vickers at the heart of the Celtic defence.

And in the early weeks, it looked as though the investment might pay off. A composed performance against one of the highest scoring and on form European teams at that point in the season in Atalanta – in the Champions League — showed glimpses of the player Celtic believed they had signed.

Strong in the air, quick across the ground, and assured in transition, Trusty looked to be settling well, despite having missed the benefit of a full pre-season under Brendan Rodgers.

But as the nights drew in and the demands of a relentless domestic campaign ramped up, so too did the scrutiny. Trusty’s form dipped. A particularly difficult outing in the League Cup Final, which saw him withdrawn at half-time, raised questions. And when defensive frailties were exposed in a chaotic 3-3 draw away at Dundee, culminating in a rare public rebuke from Rodgers—it seemed that the American international’s stock had taken a real hit.

From there, Liam Scales capitalised. Steady, dependable, and with a full understanding of the manager’s demands, the Irishman edged ahead in the pecking order. Trusty, for all his athleticism and potential, found himself watching from the bench.

But football is a game of fine margins and fresh starts. With the 2025/26 campaign on the horizon, and a full pre-season due to come, Trusty has the opportunity to reset. He arrives at Lennoxtown this summer not as the new bhoy, but as a player with something to prove. And that, for Celtic, could be crucial.

Adding complexity to the mix is the imminent arrival of Hayato Inamura, a highly-rated Japanese centre-half who, like Trusty, favours the left side of central defence. His signing brings competition but also signals intent. Celtic are building depth in key positions, and no one’s place is guaranteed. That could either be pressure or motivation—Trusty’s response may define his Celtic career.

Yet, for all the chatter about his inconsistencies last season, there’s a crucial aspect of Trusty’s game that often gets overlooked – his pace in recovery.

In an era where Celtic are often exposed in transitions due to their attacking setup, having a centre-back who can cover ground quickly is a genuine asset. He may not have the positional discipline of Carter-Vickers or the familiarity with the system that Scales possesses, but Trusty’s athleticism offers something unique—particularly in Europe, where split seconds can define matches.

And it’s worth noting his age. At 26, ,Trusty is approaching his prime as a defender. These are the years when experience begins to merge with physical maturity. If he can marry his natural tools with improved decision-making and positional awareness, Celtic might just have a player on their hands.

This is a big season for Auston Trusty. He may well play in a back 4 with Kieran Tierney to his left, Cameron Carter-Vickers to his right and Alastair Johnston on the opposite flank. There is real balance and positive attributes to all those players. It is arguably Celtic’s best defence on paper, but Trusty has to believe he has a point to prove this summer and he must come out fighting.

Brendan Rodgers has shown before that he values players who respond to setbacks. The question now is whether Trusty can take the lessons of a mixed first season and channel them into a resurgent second. With Champions League qualifiers looming and domestic dominance once again on the agenda, opportunities will come.

And if Auston Trusty can grasp them? Well, don’t be surprised if the man written off by some this time last year becomes a cornerstone of Celtic’s defence this time next.

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