Auston Trusty knows exactly what’s coming his way when Celtic face Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League knockout round play-off tonight.
The defender will have the task of marking none other than Harry Kane, the England captain and Bayern’s goal machine, who has already netted 28 goals in all competitions this season.
He’s already proven he can put in a strong defensive showing in the Champions League. He and Liam Scales were superb against Atalanta as Celtic earned a 0-0 draw against a team that has been described as dark horses for this year’s tournament.
While many defenders might be daunted by the prospect of facing one of the world’s most prolific strikers, Trusty remains calm and confident, drawing on his experiences of going head-to-head with some of football’s greatest names.
Speaking ahead of the showdown, Trusty acknowledged Kane’s quality but was quick to highlight his own experience against elite-level strikers:
“Yes, Kane is a world-class striker, but I’ve played against a few,” he said to the Herald. “I’ve played against Zlatan [Ibrahimovic]. I’ve played against [Wayne] Rooney and I’ve played against [David] Villa.
“I’ve played against all the guys in the Premier League. So I feel like I’ve played against a lot of top guys. You learn from these experiences, absolutely. It doesn’t hurt. The experiences I’ve had in the past can set me up for this and beyond.”
Trusty’s composure will be critical for Celtic as they look to contain Bayern’s lethal attack, led by Kane but also bolstered by the likes of Leroy Sané, Jamal Musiala, and Kingsley Coman.
While Kane’s movement, finishing, and playmaking abilities will pose a unique threat, Trusty’s physicality, awareness, and past experiences will be crucial in helping Celtic frustrate the German giants.
With Celtic Park set to be rocking, Trusty and his defensive partners will need to be at their best. But if there’s one thing the American centre-back has proven, it’s that he thrives on the big occasion.
