Celtic Continue Strong Under O’Neill

Trusty’s Praise for Coaching Staff

Celtic’s defender Auston Trusty has expressed his admiration for Martin O’Neill and his coaching team following the team’s recent 2-2 draw in the Europa League against Bologna.

Trusty contributed significantly to the match by scoring Celtic’s second goal shortly after teammate Reo Hatate was sent off, demonstrating a standout performance at a crucial moment when the Italian side sought a late victory. This performance marked a stark contrast to their previous outing in the competition against Roma, where they struggled.

A Shift in Coaching

After a disappointing match against Roma that led to the dismissal of head coach Wilfried Nancy, O’Neill and assistant Shaun Maloney have returned for a second stint at Celtic.

Trusty remarked, “We enjoyed a fruitful period during his first term, and seeing them return allows us to build on where we previously left off.” He emphasized the team’s goal of maintaining a high level of performance.

“This club is committed to winning and delivering top-notch performances,” Trusty stated. “While the players play a crucial role, the coaching staff plays an equally important part.”

Resilience Amidst Challenges

Despite facing a numerical disadvantage for over half an hour, Celtic exhibited grit as they held off Bologna’s relentless efforts to secure all three points during a thrilling final stretch at the Renato Dall’Ara stadium.

Trusty reflected on the experience, saying, “Going down to ten players is certainly not ideal, but we needed to dig in and withstand the pressure, which we managed for most of the match.” He underlined the resilience of the team, stating that many teams might falter under such conditions, but not Celtic.

Following Hatate’s red card, the midfielder apologized for his actions, but Trusty noted that such incidents are part of the game. “Red cards happen; we’ve all faced them. The team supports each other, and we don’t blame him,” Trusty explained, maintaining a positive outlook on team dynamics.

Reflecting on the timing of his goal, which gave Celtic a 2-0 lead before the halftime break, Trusty expressed joy at netting his first goal in European competition while recognizing the need for more collective celebrations with the fans. “It was an extraordinary moment for me to score, but I didn’t completely grasp it because I immediately thought the referee might call something,” he added.

As Celtic pushes forward in their campaign, Trusty’s performances will be vital in maintaining momentum and achieving their ambitious goals this season.