“The mindset is to retain the league title,” Auston Trusty

In partnership with

The Celtic Star

·18 January 2026

“The mindset is to retain the league title,” Auston Trusty

Auston Trusty spoke to the mainstream media ahead of this afternoon’s Scottish Cup 4th round-tie against Auchinleck Talbot which is the first of three crucial matches for Celtic over the next week in three separate competitions…

Dumbarton v Auchinleck Talbot , Scottish Cup Third Round at Marbill Coaches Stadium in Dumbarton on 29 November 2025. Auchinleck fans celebrate with their team. Photo IMAGO Andy Scott

The lower league opposition might give Martin O’Neill the option to rest some legs ahead of the trips to Bologna and Hearts in the Europa League and Scottish Premiership respectively, but with such a large injury list and the usual absolutely shambles in the transfer market, the Celtic manager may have to rotate a little less than he’d like on the plastic pitch at Rugby Park in the 5.30pm kick-off.

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Auston Trusty of Celtic. Falkirk v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, Falkirk Stadium, 14 January 2026. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Trusty was asked about the title race and the match against Hearts who currently have a six points advantage on the Champions, having managed to catch Celtic at the perfect moment in both games against the Hoops this season. Yesterday Hearts exited the Scottish Cup at home to Falkirk, congratulations due to former Celt Scott Bain who made the difference in the penalty shoot-out.

With injuries starting to mount up, the latest to captain and talisman Lawrence Shankland who reportedly suffered a hamstring injury against Falkirk, maybe it will be Celtic’s turn to get Hearts at the right time? Let’s hope so.

Auston Trusty and Julian Araujo applaud the Celtic support. Falkirk v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, Falkirk Stadium, 14 January 2026. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

“The mindset is to retain the league title,” Trusty said as reported by Newsquest site TCW. “We had a blip in the season when things didn’t go our way.

“We still have a really strong squad. I think we have the strongest squad in Scotland. It’s just about continuing this path. Not everything always goes your way in football. This time last year, I’m not sure how clear we were. It’s not always going to go amazingly your way. This is the spot we’re in in the table. I have full belief in the squad to get there.”

03.01.2026 Celtic v theRangers, Scottish Premiership. Brian Wilson, Michael Nicholson and Chris McKay. Photo Kenny Ramsay IMAGO / News Licensing

Trusty was asked for his thoughts on the January window which has been far from satisfactory so far from Michael Nicholson and his boardroom chums. “It’s the nature of the game. Players come in and players leave. You hope the players who do come in can help the squad,” Trusty replied.

The significance of next Sunday’s match at Tynecastle is certainly not lost on the United States international defender.

Celtic’s hard-fought 1-0 win away to Falkirk on Wednesday night could be considered rather more impressive than it seemed at the time after the Bairns win away to Hearts yesterday.

Auston Trusty. Premier Sports Cup Final. St Mirren v Celtic. Hampden Park, Sunday 14 December 2025. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)

“It could be really important. Every win is really important at this stage of the season and with where we are in the table,” Trusty said reflecting on the game at the Falkirk Stadium.

“We have to do what we do best and win. The conditions are never going to be perfect for you, whether it’s the turf, the rain or the cold, you need to get on with it.”

Celtic Manager Wilfried Nancy and Auston Trusty of Celtic during the Scottish Premiership match between Livingston and Celtic at Set Fare Arena on December 27, 2025 in Livingston. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)

On playing as the sometimes lone central defender in Wilfried Nancy’s shambolic 3-4-3 system that provided costly for Celtic in terms of league positions in the Scottish Premiership and Europa League and also silverware, Trusty explained how he was able to cope.

“I’m comfortable in every position. One of the benefits I’ve had as a player is being really adaptable. Whether that’s playing in the middle, on the left of a three, on the right of a three, left-back, right-back. I’m comfortable with it all,” Auston Trusty stated.

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill. Falkirk v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, Falkirk Stadium, 14 January 2026. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

But with the return of Martin O’Neill things have immediately picked up with vital back-to back wins in the league and the team reverting to a more stable and familiar 4-3-3 system.

“The group has rallied around Martin coming back. We have picked up where we left off. It’s about familiarity. We have reacted to it well. Celtic has been dominant playing a certain way, with a certain idea. It’s back to basics and that’s what you get,” Trusty said.

He added: “All the guys have played here in the club’s deep history. They know what it is, they know what it’s about and they’ve come back in and we’ve reacted pretty well to them.”

Trusty is unsure whether he’ll start against the minnows in this afternoon’s 4th round tie in the Scottish Cup as the manager may well decide to rest a few legs with the trip to Italy in mind and also the game against Hearts to follow.

“If they want to rest people, it’s not up to me,” Trusty said. “If I’m called upon, I’ll do my duty. I do what the team needs. It’s not my decision. I go out there every day to prove that I can play.”

Dumbarton v Auchinleck Talbot , Scottish Cup Third Round at Marbill Coaches Stadium in Dumbarton on 29 November 2025 Auchinleck Talbot’s players celebrate with Kyle McAvoy 24. IMAGO Photo Andy Scott

Auchinleck Talbot will be an opponent that Trusty admits he knows very little about but he’s been around the game long enough to know that there are always dangers present from lower league sides looking to make a name for themselves as giant killers.

“I’m afraid I don’t know much about them. We can’t take anything lightly. When you have that mindset, that’s when things go wrong. We have to treat it in every way the way we treat every other game. You see, every year, crazy stories happening. Interesting things happen and it comes down to your mindset.”

Dumbarton v Auchinleck Talbot , Scottish Cup Third Round at Marbill Coaches Stadium in Dumbarton on 29 November 2025 Auchinleck Talbot’s players celebrate with their fans. Photo IMAGO Andy Scott

Auchinleck Talbot v Celtic kicks off at 5.30pm and if you’re not going to the game you can watch live on Premier Sports or if you are based outside of Britain and Ireland it’s also live on Celtic TV for subscribers to the club’s own channel.

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