Trusty injury blow hits Celtic ahead of LASK tie

Auston Trusty missed Celtic training on Monday, delivering a significant setback just one day before Tuesday’s Champions League play-off first leg against LASK in Austria. 

The Hoops completed their session at Paradise before flying out that evening, but the American center-back’s absence raises serious doubts over his availability for the crucial European fixture.

With Trusty sidelined, Liam Scales is now the clear favorite to partner Cameron Carter-Vickers in central defense. 

Celtic have been solid at the back so far this season, conceding only once in their opening four matches across all competitions. 

Trusty himself played the full 90 minutes in three of those games. The only exception came in the Premier Sports Cup win over Dundee United at Tannadice, where he was substituted by Dane Murray after 67 minutes.

The defender endured a hectic summer on international duty with the United States. 

He featured in friendlies against Senegal and Germany in May and June, playing 45 and 27 minutes respectively, before coming on for 10 minutes against Australia at the World Cup and completing the full 90 against Turkey, where he scored. 

Trusty did not feature during Celtic’s pre-season and was considered a doubt for the Dundee match on 3 August after only rejoining the squad that week. Yet he has since started every competitive outing.

Whether the current issue is minor or more serious, it highlights how little recovery time players are afforded. 

Celtic granted Trusty an extended break, but the expanded World Cup schedule left him with minimal opportunity to rest before diving straight back into domestic and European action.

The situation mirrors Alistair Johnston’s recent injury problems. Both players featured at the World Cup and have now suffered setbacks early in the campaign. 

It once again prompts questions about how FIFA and football’s governing bodies balance the demands of an ever-expanding calendar with player welfare. Despite high wages, recovery windows are shrinking, and injury concerns continue to grow.