Celtic defender Auston Trusty has expressed his delight at being back in training as the Hoops ramp up preparations for the new campaign.
The American centre-back returned to Lennoxtown alongside a number of teammates not involved in international duty. Despite being included in a few USA squads earlier in the year, Trusty wasn’t selected for this summer’s fixtures, giving him a full off-season before returning to club duty.
“It feels good,” Trusty told Celtic TV. “It was a short month off and I feel like it never happened really. We’re still kind of in the groove and to come back, see all the guys, you miss them. So it’s really good to be back.”
Signed from Sheffield United on deadline day last year, the 26-year-old believes the dressing room played a huge part in helping him settle quickly into life in Glasgow.
“I think this team is really good, so when I came here last year I was just into the team right away, the guys took me in and we all became friends right away. It’s a really good locker room.
“Luckily, I didn’t need a pre-season to get in with the boys. I’m really looking forward to this and spending a lot of time with the guys.”
Trusty will be aiming to build on his contributions from last season as Brendan Rodgers’ men begin their pre-season fixtures against Queen’s Park at Lesser Hampden on Friday night.
He didn’t quite manage to nail down a starting spot next to Cameron Carter-Vickers in his first season at the club. Liam Scales seemed to be preferred by Brendan Rodgers, but it was clear that wasn’t the plan.
Last summer Celtic shelled out £6 million for Trusty. If you’re spending that money on a defender, the expectation is that he comes in to start alongside Carter-Vickers, but that wasn’t the case.
With Celtic potentially bringing in another defender this summer, Trusty still has a lot to prove.
