Sport Nation 2Former Celtic striker and pundit Chris Sutton remains skeptical about the club’s summer acquisition of central defender Auston Trusty. Despite Trusty’s recent string of starts, Sutton is concerned that the American defender may not be fully up to the task of filling the void left by Cameron Carter-Vickers’ injury.
Auston Trusty, a 26-year-old defender, joined Celtic from Sheffield United for £6 million on transfer deadline day. Trusty’s move was seen as a significant addition to the squad, bolstering Celtic’s defensive options. However, Trusty had to wait for his chance in the starting lineup, with his debut for Celtic delayed by the presence of Carter-Vickers, who had cemented his place as the team’s defensive linchpin.
Carter-Vickers, widely regarded as Celtic’s best defender, has been sidelined due to injury, forcing Brendan Rodgers to rely on Trusty for the past five competitive matches. Trusty’s recent starts have come at a crucial time, as Celtic competes in domestic and European competitions. However, Sutton remains cautious about the American’s abilities, especially in light of Celtic’s 2-2 draw with Aberdeen over the weekend.
Sutton voiced his concerns about Trusty’s performances on Sky Sports, emphasizing that the absence of Carter-Vickers is a significant blow to the team. “I think there are concerns mainly because Cameron Carter-Vickers, their rock, the best defender at the club, hasn’t been there for a while,” Sutton said. “Every time Celtic take the field and he’s not playing, I worry. They’re not the same defensively.”
Sutton added that while Trusty has shown potential, he is not yet convinced that the former Arsenal man has adequately filled the shoes of Carter-Vickers. “Trusty has come in with big shoes to fill – I’m not so sure at this moment in time that he’s filled them adequately,” Sutton remarked.
Trusty has been playing in an unfamiliar role during Carter-Vickers’ absence. Rather than his preferred left-sided center-back position, Trusty has been deployed on the right, a position typically occupied by his fellow countryman Carter-Vickers. Sutton believes that Trusty’s performances should be judged more fairly when he returns to his favored position on the left side of defense.
Celtic’s defensive struggles without Carter-Vickers have been evident, with the team conceding goals in matches where they might have been expected to keep clean sheets. The 2-2 draw against Aberdeen is just the latest example of defensive frailty, with Trusty and his defensive partners unable to prevent the Dons from scoring crucial goals.
Celtic fans are eagerly awaiting the return of Carter-Vickers, who has been recovering from injury. There is hope that the center-back, affectionately nicknamed “the fridge” by his teammates, could be fit to return for Celtic’s upcoming European fixture against Atalanta. Should Carter-Vickers make his comeback, it remains uncertain whether Trusty will retain his place in the starting lineup or whether Rodgers will opt to return to the tried-and-tested defensive partnership of Carter-Vickers and another player.
The potential return of Carter-Vickers is seen as a major boost for the Hoops, especially with the club facing tough opposition in Europe. Celtic’s defense has been a point of concern throughout the season, and the return of their defensive stalwart could provide much-needed stability at the back.
Sutton’s assessment of Trusty reflects the broader anxieties among Celtic supporters regarding the team’s defensive setup. While Trusty’s inclusion in the lineup has been seen as a necessary stopgap during Carter-Vickers’ absence, there are questions about whether he has fully adapted to the demands of Scottish football. Trusty’s performances have been inconsistent, with flashes of quality interspersed with moments of uncertainty.
One of the key issues Sutton highlighted is the challenge of transitioning from the English Championship, where Trusty played for Sheffield United, to the intensity and pressure of representing Celtic. Playing for a club like Celtic, with its rich history and expectations of success, can be a daunting task for any player, and Trusty is no exception. Sutton pointed out that it can take time for players to adjust to the unique demands of Scottish football, where defensive solidity is often tested in high-stakes matches.
Furthermore, Trusty’s international commitments with the United States have added another layer of complexity to his integration into the Celtic squad. The defender’s involvement in international duty has limited his preparation time with the team, making it difficult for him to fully gel with his new teammates. Sutton expressed sympathy for Trusty’s situation, acknowledging that the defender has faced a challenging set of circumstances since joining the Hoops.
In addition to Trusty’s individual performances, Sutton raised concerns about the overall depth of Celtic’s defensive options. With Carter-Vickers out injured, Rodgers has had to rely on a makeshift defense that has included players like Liam Scales and Stephen Welsh. However, both Scales and Welsh have struggled at times, leading to questions about whether Celtic’s defensive unit is equipped to handle the rigors of both domestic and European competition.
Looking ahead, Sutton believes that Celtic will need to address their defensive issues in the January transfer window if they are to compete at the highest level. The club’s dependence on Carter-Vickers as their defensive linchpin has been exposed in his absence, and Sutton argued that additional reinforcements are needed to ensure the team is not overly reliant on one player.
While Trusty’s future at Celtic remains uncertain, Sutton’s comments highlight the ongoing challenges faced by Brendan Rodgers as he tries to find the right defensive balance for his team. With the return of Carter-Vickers on the horizon, Rodgers will soon have the option to reshuffle his defensive lineup. However, it remains to be seen whether Trusty will retain a key role in the team or whether his place will be taken by other defensive options.
As Celtic prepare for their European clash with Atalanta, all eyes will be on the team’s defensive performance. The return of Carter-Vickers could be the difference between a solid defensive display and another nervy outing at the back. For now, though, the jury remains out on Auston Trusty, with Chris Sutton and many Celtic fans waiting to see whether the £6 million signing can rise to the challenge of being a reliable figure in Celtic’s defense.
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