NafisaCeltic have been hit by another worrying development ahead of their crucial Europa League showdown with Celta Vigo, with one of their key defensive players set to miss Thursday night’s must-win encounter after leaving the team camp.
The timing could hardly be worse for Martin O’Neill’s side, who are desperate to rescue their European campaign after losing their opening two league-phase fixtures against Ferencvaros and Benfica.
Celtic have already been struggling with defensive injuries, and the latest news has left supporters facing the prospect of another major selection headache just when the club can least afford one.
With the Spanish visitors arriving at Celtic Park for a match that could have serious consequences for Celtic’s knockout-stage ambitions, the last thing O’Neill needed was another defensive complication.
Yet that is precisely what has happened, with assistant manager Shaun Maloney confirming that Auston Trusty will not be involved after departing the camp because of a personal matter.
Auston Trusty ruled out after leaving Celtic camp
Trusty’s absence represents another significant blow for Celtic, particularly given the circumstances surrounding their current defensive shortage.
Maloney handled the media duties ahead of Thursday’s match, with O’Neill absent while dealing with a personal matter of his own. During his media briefing, the assistant manager confirmed that the American defender would not be available.
Speaking to Sky Sports Scotland, Maloney said: “Auston Trusty has got a private matter, so he won’t make tomorrow.”
The confirmation means Celtic must prepare for the Celta Vigo clash without a defender who could have been particularly valuable given the club’s growing injury problems.
However, while the timing of Trusty’s absence will inevitably raise questions among supporters, there is no indication that he has deliberately turned his back on Celtic or abandoned the team. The reason provided by Maloney is a private matter, and no further details have been disclosed.
That distinction is important as Celtic attempt to prepare for one of their most demanding fixtures of the season.
Celtic have just two fit senior centre-backs
The biggest concern surrounding Trusty’s absence is the number of defensive options Celtic now have available.
Cameron Carter-Vickers and Alistair Johnston will also miss Thursday’s match, although Maloney indicated that both could return to the squad for Sunday’s trip to Hibernian if their recovery continues well.
Johnston has been recovering from a hamstring problem that has kept him out since August, while Carter-Vickers has only recently resumed training.
Their absences, combined with Trusty’s unavailability, leave Celtic with just two fit senior centre-backs identified in the latest team news: Liam Scales and Dane Murray.
That is an alarming situation for a club preparing for a European fixture of such importance.
Scales and Murray could be tasked with forming the central defensive partnership against Celta Vigo, but Celtic would have very limited recognised senior cover if either player suffered an injury or was forced off.
Colby Donovan has stepped up at right-back in Johnston’s absence, while Murray has already been given greater responsibility in the first team. Nevertheless, the shortage of experienced defensive options leaves O’Neill with difficult decisions to make.
Celtic cannot simply ignore the situation, especially against European opposition capable of punishing defensive uncertainty.
Another defeat could leave Celtic in serious trouble
The stakes surrounding Thursday’s match make the latest development even more concerning.
Celtic have lost to Ferencvaros and Benfica in their opening two Europa League league-phase fixtures, leaving them without a point from their first six available.
A third consecutive defeat would leave the Scottish champions facing an increasingly difficult route towards the knockout stages.
Qualification would not necessarily be mathematically beyond them, but Celtic would have very little room for further mistakes and could be forced to chase results in their remaining fixtures.
Sunday’s 7-1 victory over Hearts offered a welcome domestic response, yet the European campaign remains a major concern.
Celta Vigo now present another test, and Celtic must find a way to deliver a disciplined defensive performance despite the absence of several important players.
Trusty’s unavailability is particularly frustrating because it removes another option from a position where the squad is already stretched.
Celtic must find a solution quickly
Maloney’s update has left Celtic with little time to adjust their plans before Thursday night’s encounter.
The club will hope Scales and Murray can rise to the occasion, while the remaining defensive options may have to provide emergency cover if circumstances demand it.
For supporters, the immediate concern is whether Celtic can overcome their defensive problems and finally get their Europa League campaign moving.
The emphatic victory over Hearts showed what the team can produce when things click, but another European defeat would intensify the pressure surrounding O’Neill’s side.
Trusty’s absence is a setback Celtic could have done without, particularly with their defensive resources already depleted.
Now, with the clock ticking towards kick-off, Celtic must concentrate on the players available and find a way to prevent another damaging night in Europe.
Auston Trusty will miss Celta Vigo after leaving the camp over a private matter, leaving Celtic with just two fit senior centre-backs for a match they desperately need to win.
Nafisa
