Auston Trusty reckons his formidable partnership with Cameron Carter-Vickers can strengthen success both at Celtic and international level…
Trusty had a prolonged absence from the Celtic starting XI since the Premier Sports League Cup final but has now started the last two Scottish Premiership matches which has led to successive clean sheets for Brendan Rodgers’ side.
Dream first season in Glasgow
It has been a dream first season in Glasgow for Trusty who has racked up consistent minutes and been rewarded at international level as a result. In October, the 6ft3 central defender made his first appearance for United States in 16 months. Trusty came off the bench against Mexico in a 2-0 defeat and is now a regular in Mauricio Pochettino’s new look USMNT.
Trusty believes that his solid partnership with Cameron Cater-Vickers will stand the pair in good stead as they look towards reaching the World Cup next summer in America, Canada and Mexico.
After the 2-0 win over Dundee United on Wednesday night at Celtic Park Trusty said: “That would be amazing [winning silverware and qualifying for the World Cup]. I think that’s absolutely on my mind and I’m sure for Cameron too, it’s on his mind as well.
‘Nothing’s impossible. Everything’s realistic’
“We have to do our job here and doing our job here allows us to propel ourselves into consideration for that team and get the opportunities that we need. Take care of business here, then that’d be amazing. Nothing’s impossible. Everything’s realistic,” Trusty added.
“It’s important you have those targets to try and strive for. Even before I came here, that’s the goal. I think you want chemistry, especially in the back line. You want chemistry, guys who actually know what they’re doing and playing at a high level. It doesn’t hurt us whatsoever.”
“I’ve played with a lot of good defenders throughout my career, but Cameron’s really good and we have good chemistry. I think every single game we get to play together and the more time we have together, the centre-backs and all the defenders and the whole entire team, the more you play, the more chemistry you get.”
“I can see it growing and growing every single game and knowing what he’s going to do and what I’m going to do and how we’re both going to react and help each other out. Game by game, it’s getting better and better.”
‘Everyone on this team is a good player’
There has been speculation growing around interest from reigning Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen for Cameron Carter-Vickers but Trusty insists that is natural for talented footballers. “I haven’t seen anything,” he explained. “Everyone on this team is a good player and I’m sure lots attract different teams and different leads and stuff like that, but I can’t speak for him.”
Celtic have extended their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership table to a remarkable 15 points after the Hoops eased off Dundee United 2-0 at Celtic Park in subzero temperatures on Wednesday evening. Meanwhile, theRangers dropped yet more points on the road following a 1-1 draw with Dundee at Dens Park last night. Philippe Clement’s side have now only gained 13 points from a possible 33 away from home this season.
Celts still hurt by the Ibrox defeat
Trusty reckons he and his teammates are still hurt by the Ibrox defeat but assures supporters the team will react well over the course of this congested period of fixtures.
“There’s lows and highs to football, and that was a low for us,” the American outlined. “You have good games, and you have bad games, we just didn’t show up for that game. It’s a testament to the team and how we react to things.
“We’ve had lows before already this season, and it shows the true character of a team to bounce back from losses. Hopefully it showed everyone that we’re a good team.
Not counting the points
“I don’t think any of us are counting the points, we’re just focusing on game by game and doing our job.” We’re striving every day to get better, have more cohesion as a team and get better in every aspect of the game. Hopefully we can get an opportunity to show more of us and how we’re advancing as a team.”
Celtic went into that match at Ibrox 14 points clear of theRangers who reduced the gap to 11 points with their 3-0 victory. Since then Celtic have collected maximum points against St Mirren and Dundee United while theRangers have dropped four points against Hibs at the weekend and Dundee last night.
That means that the Celtic lead is now 15 points – one more than before kick-off at Ibrox on 2 January!
Oh theRangers are….
Watch Auston Trusty’s post-match media conference
Here’s Auston Trusty’s post match media conference on Wednesday night as Celtic took another step towards 4IAR…
Conor Spence
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