Logic behind Trusty’s MOTM award in Celtic’s win over the Rangers | OneFootball

Michael Stewart’s decision on Premier Sports to award his post-match Player of the Match to Auston Trusty may have surprised some…

Auston Trusty. Celtic v theRangers. Premier Sports Cup, semi final at Hampden. 2 November 2025. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

After all, Callum McGregor produced a captain’s performance for Celtic, complete with a stunning strike to put his side 2–1 ahead in what ultimately became a 3–1 League Cup semi-final win over theRangers at Hampden.

Callum McGregor at Hampden. Celtic v theRangers. Premier Sports Cup, semi final at Hampden. 2 November 2025. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

Alongside him, Arne Engels was immense. Since being redeployed by his manager to harness his best attributes, run like hell, protect Callum McGregor, and become the first port of call in transition, Engels has been a revelation. Yesterday was no different, he was everywhere, strong in the challenge, disciplined in his positioning, and quick on the break, be that defensively or offensively, and what a delivery for Johnny Kenny’s goal too.

Johnny Kenny scores. Celtic v theRangers. Premier Sports Cup, semi final at Hampden. 2 November 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Daizen Maeda, described pre-match by Martin O’Neill as Celtic’s talisman, would also have been a strong candidate. The Japanese forward covered every blade of Hampden’s grass, pressing, chasing, and working tirelessly, alongside a little gamesmanship to boot, a reminder of the relentless form that defined him last season but had yet to truly resurface this campaign, at least until yesterday.

Daizen Maeda. Celtic v theRangers. Premier Sports Cup, semi final at Hampden. 2 November 2025. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

Liam Scales, meanwhile, simply continued his player-of-the-season trajectory. Composed, aggressive, and commanding, he once again demonstrated why he’s become Celtic’s most dependable defender right now, a player of the year candidate already.

Liam Scales. Celtic v theRangers. Premier Sports Cup, semi final at Hampden. 2 November 2025. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

So, with all that quality on display, why did Stewart choose Auston Trusty?

With a little context, it makes perfect sense.

For Trusty, this wasn’t just another match, it was a statement, maybe even a turning point in his Celtic career.

The American defender’s journey at Celtic hasn’t been smooth. After battling back from injury, he might have expected an opportunity when Cameron Carter-Vickers suffered an Achilles injury against Sturm Graz. But when Brendan Rodgers instead chose young Dane Murray to start at Tynecastle — a match that ended in a 3–1 defeat and proved to be Rodgers’ final game in charge — it must have felt like a punch in the gut for Trusty.

Auston Trusty. Celtic v theRangers. Premier Sports Cup, semi final at Hampden. 2 November 2025. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

At that moment, he probably thought there was more chance of finding a new club in January than of becoming Celtic’s central defensive partner to Liam Scales this season.

But football moves fast. Murray’s nightmare at Tynecastle, followed by Rodgers’ resignation and the arrival of Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney, changed everything.

Trusty was brought back into the team, first against Falkirk, where he looked excellent, albeit under little pressure. Then came Hampden. theRangers. A semi-final. And Auston Trusty was outstanding.

Indeed, both Celtic centre-halves were. But for Trusty, the occasion arguably carried a deeper significance. This was a defender once written off, even called “weak as urine” at Dens Park last season, a comment from a manager caught by lip readers on camera. It stuck. For many, that became the narrative. Trusty was weak.

Callum Osmand of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s third goal with teammates Callum McGregor and Auston Trusty during the Premier Sports Cup Semi Final match between Celtic and theRangers at Hampden Park on November 02, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Really?

Because the version we’ve seen over the past two games has been anything but. He’s been strong, composed, and, most importantly, brave. He’s been scrapping for every 50–50, throwing himself into challenges, and playing right on the edge when it matters most. The gentle tap on Jack Butland’s head yesterday — controversial, maybe even reckless — summed it up. It showed a defender with a wee bit of fire in his belly, not afraid to mix it, not afraid to show a bit of edge.

And that matters because it’s been said often enough that Celtic players are ‘too nice.’ Indeed, if supporters were asked to name their top three ‘nice guys’ before yesterday, he’d be on most lists. But Trusty clearly isn’t.

Sponsor’s Man of the Match Auston Trusty with Callum McGregor and Callum Osmand doing post match interview. Celtic v theRangers. Premier Sports Cup, semi final at Hampden. 2 November 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Given the bigger picture, the setbacks, the fightback, the sheer resilience to get here, you can see why Michael Stewart made the call he did. Trusty’s story is one of redemption, of a player who’s been to the edge and fought his way back, much of it in the space of a week.

This Bhoy got his football grounding in Philadelphia, you don’t last long growing up there without a bit of character about you. He’s had to overcome injuries, selection setbacks, and criticism, both fair and unfair. But now, he’s showing exactly what Celtic need from a central defender, courage, composure, and a willingness to scrap for the yards when needed.

At Hampden, it might have been a stretch to call him the best player on the park in pure footballing terms. But football isn’t just about moments, it’s also about the back story. And in that sense, Stewart’s choice was perfect. He saw not just a strong 90 minutes, but a story of persistence and self-belief rewarded.

Trusty now has the shirt, and it’s his to lose. Chances are that’s all he’s ever asked.

Niall J

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Celtic in the Eighties and Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style both by David Potter. Photo The Celtic Star

Danny McGrain signing copies of Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Photo: Celtic Star Books

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