Not a problem – “I feel comfortable playing on the right side,” Auston Trusty

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The Celtic Star

·8 de noviembre de 2025

Not a problem – “I feel comfortable playing on the right side,” Auston Trusty

Auston Trusty yesterday dismissed the post-match controversies surrounding last weekend’s Premier Sports Cup semi-final at Hampden having seen it all before last time Celtic beat theRangers in the final of the same competition last December.

Sponsor’s Man of the Match Auston Trusty. Celtic v theRangers. Premier Sports Cup, semi final at Hampden. 2 November 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

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“It’s just a rivalry,” Trusty stated as he appeared at Celtic’s media conference ahead of tomorrow’s vital Scottish Premiership match against Kilmarnock at Celtic Park. “Both sides whether they win or lose try to find a way to cope with it,” the USA international defender said.

“I think in this case they are maybe trying to use me as a way to try to cope with it on their end. That’s just the name of the game, that’s just how it is. It’s definitely not in my character to just boot somebody in the head, that’s not it at all. The reality of it is that I was anticipating a loose ball and I tapped him on the head.

The boot of Auston Trusty of Celtic catches Jack Butland of theRangers in the head, leading to a yellow card 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)

“From my reaction you can tell I was very apologetic doing it because no matter the rivalry, no matter what, I’m still a human at the end of the day. So I’m not going to kick somebody in the head. Obviously it’s a rivalry you’re kind of in your own zone. There is definitely nothing like this in the States, but that’s the beauty of the game.”

Trusty also stated that he wasn’t surprised at getting a yellow card but he certainly wasn’t expecting a red to be issued by match referee Nick Walsh.

“No, not really. He ran over and gave me a yellow card and I was like, ‘Fair enough’. Then VAR checked it and it was still a yellow card which is fair enough. I moved on and the game moved on. That’s just the reality of it. I think we were the better side.”

On the victory one theRangers which booked Celtic’s place in next month’s final against St Mirren Trusty said: “I was definitely pleased with how I played myself and with how all my team mates performed. I think we were the better squad for the entire 120 minutes, whether it was 11 men or 10 men they had. So I was really, really pleased.”

Auston Trusty and Anthony Ralston of Celtic look dejected after conceding 3rd goal Midtjylland vs Celtic, UEFA Europa League, Group Stage, Football, MCH Arena, Herning, Denmark – 06 November 2025. Photo Michael Zemanek Shutterstock

Looking back on the 3-1 defeat in the Europa League on Thursday night to FC Midtjylland Trusty tried to look at the bigger picture. “Obviously last night’s result wasn’t in our favour, but other than that I think it’s been a pretty positive week. I think a lot of teams could have folded and lost four, five, six.

“We decided to keep fighting and try to bounce back and get a goal, maybe get another goal and maybe come back and make it an interesting game. So as much as it is a downer at least we showed character and grit,” he said.

“Hopefully we can use theRangers result as some energy and momentum for us to keep on going. But it’s a very, very long season. We know our power, we know our ability and we let it take care of itself.”

Auston Trusty of Celtic applauds the fans after the match Midtjylland vs Celtic, UEFA Europa League, Group Stage, Football, MCH Arena, Herning, Denmark – 06 Nov 2025Herning MCH Arena Denmark Photo Michael Zemanek Shutterstock/IMAGO

With Cameron Carter-Vickers out for the longer term with the Achilles injury picked up the match against Sturm Graz and with Liam Scales making the left centre-back spot his own, Trusty is confident that he can play on the right side of Celtic’s central defence for the long term if required.

“We’ve had some really good results with me playing on the right. I think it’s a real benefit. Maybe people don’t actually think that a left footer can actually go play on the right side and be comfortable and have success and actually make an impact on the game.

“But I feel comfortable playing on the right side and comfortable in the partnership with Liam. I am sure we can thrive together and really have success.”

Here’s Auston Trusty’s media conference ahead of the Celtic v Kilmarnock match tomorrow afternoon at Celtic Park…

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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