But ahead of Wilfried Nancy\u2019s arrival at Celtic<\/a>, he is expected to bring a formation that will require the use of three centre-backs. <\/p>\n That puts a lot of emphasis on someone like Auston Trusty<\/a>, who, alongside Liam Scales, are the only fit senior centre-backs because of Cameron Carter-Vickers\u2019 long-term injury<\/a>. <\/p>\n Martin O\u2019Neill confirms Wilfried Nancy timeline <\/p>\n \ud83d\udde3\ufe0f \u201cThings are progressing very nicely. I\u2019m hoping things will be in place by the beginning of next week.\u201d Martin O\u2019Neill discusses if Celtic\u2019s trip to Hibs on Sunday, live on Sky, will be his last game in interim charge \u2935\ufe0f pic.twitter.com\/V6G3FF81Th<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) November 28, 2025<\/a> <\/p>\n View Tweet<\/p>\n Timing is a beautiful thing because it just so happened that, after Trusty\u2019s recall to the USMNT side<\/a> under Mauricio Pochettino in November, he returned to the XI by playing in a back three. <\/p>\n Just like at Celtic, the hard-hitting American defender provided an assist as his nation thrashed Marcelo Bielsa\u2019s Uruguay 5-1 in an international friendly. <\/p>\n Trusty spoke about playing out from the back, in a back three, and how he is \u2018very mobile\u2019 in doing so.<\/p>\n The 27-year-old described how it allows him to be \u2018aggressive\u2019 and bring out his attacking qualities, which he will be able to do in a back three. <\/p>\n All in all, it will be music to the ears of Nancy. <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s one of the big benefits of how I play,\u201d Trusty told The Athletic<\/a> on his attacking ability from centre-back.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I play with two centre-backs, or even if I\u2019m playing with three centre-backs, I\u2019m very mobile. I just play the game and respond to what it gives.<\/p>\n \u201cIn any situation, I\u2019m more than happy, more than capable of taking in space and being aggressive and being in a more offensive role. Some centre-backs want to kind of stay back in their zone.<\/p>\n \u201cLook, at the same time, I\u00a0love\u00a0to defend. But yeah, I enjoy getting forward and making numerical advantages that are difficult for the other team.\u201d<\/p>\n Trusty\u2019s warning to the Premiership leaders, Hearts<\/p>\n The last time Celtic played Hearts, Trusty was sitting on the bench, as Dane Murray produced an error-stricken performance<\/a>. <\/p>\n You suspect that ahead of Hearts\u2019 arrival at Parkhead next month, it\u2019s going to be Trusty starting at the heart of defence, as the champions of Scotland<\/a> aim to catch the current Premiership leaders.<\/p>\n Even though it has been a brilliant start by Derek McInnes\u2019 side, Trusty made it clear that there is still a long way to go, and he has total belief in his side. <\/p>\n Poll: Will Celtic win the league? <\/p>\n \u201cI think we have really good fans, and it\u2019s a long season,\u201d responded Trusty on Celtic trying to catch Hearts. <\/p>\n \u201cThe fans here have been supporters for many generations, so they\u2019ve seen a lot of football over the years. They know it\u2019s a very, very long season.<\/p>\n \u201cEspecially going into the winter, that\u2019s when it really tests you, and that\u2019s where Celtic can shine. We\u2019re an experienced group of players, too, and in this league, experience is big. I fully believe in us.\u201d<\/p>\n Join Our Newsletter <\/p>\n Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udde3\ufe0f \u201cDeep down, have I loved it? I probably have.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Wilfried](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/GettyImages-2228837945-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo by Kirk Irwin \u2013 Leagues Cup\/MLS via Getty ImagesAuston Trusty on playing out from the back<\/p>\n