AUSTON Trusty is under no illusions about how difficult an evening lies in store for him at Parkhead tomorrow night when Celtic square up to Bayern Munich in the first leg of the Champions League knockout round play-off double header.
Facing Harry Kane, the England captain and striker who has netted on no fewer than 28 occasions for the German giants in all competitions this season, is the ultimate test for any centre-half.
Yet, Trusty has come up against renowned predators like Kane on numerous occasions in the past and believes he is well prepared for the mental and physical challenge of nullifying the threat that his illustrious rival will pose as a consequence.
“Yes, Kane is a world-class striker, but I’ve played against a few,” he said. “I've played against Zlatan [Ibrahimovic]. I've played against [Wayne] Rooney and I've played against [David] Villa.
“I've played against all the guys in the Premier League. So I feel like I've played against a lot of top guys. You learn from these experiences, absolutely. It doesn't hurt. The experiences I've had in the past can set me up for this and beyond.”
Read more:
-
Celtic manager provides update on Carter-Vickers’ chances of facing Bayern Munich
-
Rodgers praises Celtic’s ‘very, very supportive’ financial backing
Trusty has firmly established himself as a regular starter alongside his fellow United States internationalist Cameron Carter-Vickers this season and has helped Celtic to progress to the knockout stages of the Champions League for the first time in 12 years.
He was given an early indication of the levels he would have to reach to compete with Europe’s elite when, at the age of just 19, he found himself up against Swedish great Ibrahimovic in an MLS game between Philadelphia Union and LA Galaxy at PPL Park back in 2018.
“In terms of who I benefitted from playing against, I think facing Zlatan that first time was the best,” he said. “It was my first year playing at the Union.
“It was a home game. We didn't usually sell out the stadium, but the whole stadium was sold out because Zlatan was coming to town. You couldn't buy a ticket. I couldn't get a ticket for my freaking family!
“To be in that environment, to see what you could be as a player, one that everyone wants to come see, was amazing. But to see his level and his calibre of playing in person was just pretty cool. It was good for me as a young player to have that experience right from the bat.”
“These are the opportunities where you have to show it,” he said. “You have to go out there and perform against a team like Bayern Munich, who have huge backing. To play against these guys and these teams, these are the opportunities you want.”
Trusty started the season with relegated Sheffield United in the English Championship – but the £6.5m signing feels he has matured and developed since moving to Celtic in the final days of the summer transfer window and is well prepared for Bayern.
“I'm in a new environment, I'm in a new organisation,” he said. “But at Celtic they don't let you slip up, from the fans to your team mates to the coaches. You can only get by doing your best for the club and getting wins.
“There are so many similarities and so many differences between playing last year and playing here. But I'm happy I'm here, I'm happy I'm in this environment and we're thriving.
“Last year was unfortunate, the way the season went in the Premier League. But at the same time, I played 32 games in the Premier League, in six or seven different positions.
“To play in different positions against some of the best players in the entire world, in the best league in the entire world, it can only help you, no matter if there are lows in between.”
Read more:
-
Scot behind Tush Push on how Eagles ended 'three-peat' Super Bowl bid
-
Bayern Munich legend dismisses Celtic Champions League chances
-
Why Alistair Johnston knew of Barca match winner as a kid in Canada
Trusty is a huge Philadelphia Eagles fan and he received a pre-Bayern boost when he woke up on Monday morning and learned his team defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl in New Orleans.
So will that historic victory against the defending champions ensure he takes the field with a spring in his step at Celtic Park tomorrow evening?
“I was a bit tired so I didn’t stay up to watch it all. I had a little anxiety when I woke up. But to see that we won in the fashion that we won, it was just amazing. I just wish I was there to celebrate and be with my family. My dad is a lifelong Eagles fan, my whole family really.
“The Eagles went into the game as big underdogs and they kind of routed the Chiefs a wee bit. I think we had a lot of the world cheering for us because I don't think they wanted the Chiefs to win three in a row. You can take a bit of inspiration from that, absolutely.”
Trusty continued: “I think the worst thing Bayern can do is underestimate us. I’ve seen a few things and maybe they're thinking they are Bayern Munich and we're Celtic, but that shouldn't be the case.
“Celtic is a big club as well. But every player's different, every organisation's different. I've seen that some people have counted us out already. That’s fine, if that’s their mindset. I just think if you're confident, I don't think you should count anybody else out.”
