Auston Trusty’s Celtic career could face an early crossroads, with the American centre-back attracting interest from clubs in England and across Europe.
The £6m summer 2024 signing has yet to start a competitive match for Brendan Rodgers’ side this season, featuring only twice from the bench in Celtic’s opening two Premiership fixtures. Liam Scales is currently ahead of him in the pecking order, while the arrival of Manchester City loanee Jahmai Simpson-Pusey threatens to push him even further down the list.
When Simpson-Pusey arrived at the club, Brendan Rodgers was clear in his words that he rates him quite highly.
“Yes, a very gifted young player. Obviously, coming through the system there at Manchester City, his profile fits very much what we want from our centre-halves. He’s quick, he’s dominant, he’s a good defender and of course, at Celtic, your centre-halves need to be able to progress the ball and that’s a big strength of his.”
The Manchester City loanee is still some time away from starting matches for Celtic, the manager has admitted.
With the 2026 World Cup being hosted in the United States, Trusty will be desperate for regular minutes to strengthen his case for a spot in Gregg Berhalter’s squad. Sitting on the sidelines at club level is unlikely to help his cause.
Scott Burns of RecordSport reports that a number of sides in England and on the continent are monitoring the 26-year-old’s situation closely. There is, however, no current indication of Celtic’s stance on a possible departure, nor any public insight into the defender’s own thinking.
Rodgers has already spoken this summer about the need for competition across the squad, but Trusty’s immediate challenge is forcing his way into the starting XI – or deciding whether his future lies elsewhere.
