For Celtic’s big centre back, it’s just a matter of Trust.

Earlier today, I covered Adam Idah and his current struggles in the Celtic side. He’s not having a great time, but it’s understandable; a striker who isn’t getting many games isn’t going to score many goals. As I said in the article, what he needs more than anything is just to score—any kind of goal will do. Once he puts the ball in the net, his confidence will come rushing back.

Austin Trusty, however, is a different matter. I can’t help but wonder if he’s having a bit of a Robin Propper moment. Let me explain. Sometimes, players coming to Scotland from so-called bigger leagues grossly underestimate how difficult it will be here.

Trusty is an impressive physical specimen, and he should be able to handle himself against anyone in this division in a physical battle. But it may be that he’s underestimated just how physical it gets here.

Let me be clear: I’m not worried about Austin Trusty. I’m actually less worried about him than I am about Idah. When you look at the big guy, you can see he has the physique and physicality to go toe-to-toe with anyone in this league. It’s a mindset issue, and Rodgers has identified that. He’s pointed out that you have to be mentally sharp and strong all the time. You can’t let some SPFL player bully you off the ball.

It’s an adjustment, and that’s all he needs. But I’ve seen enough of him to recognise we’ve got a really good footballer here. A really solid defender who just needs to get his head straight. He needs to accept that this is a much tougher environment than he might have expected.

The big man is still young and has plenty of developing to do. And as with Idah, it’s pointless blaming him for the transfer fee we paid. He has the pedigree to justify it, just as Cameron Carter-Vickers did when he signed. I still believe the Trusty-Carter-Vickers central defensive partnership is our best option.

Last night was disappointing in any number of ways. Something looks off about the team shape and the way we’re set up. It’s not just players failing to do their jobs. I completely agree with Rodgers that Trusty had a nightmare, but let’s be honest—how often do you see us concede three times against SPFL teams?

Against the Ibrox club, you half expect it; at home, they can hurt you if you don’t turn up. The fact they also did it in a cup final is concerning. But what really worries me is Aberdeen managing it at Celtic Park. That’s an issue that needs sorting.

Fortunately, we’ve got three solid central defenders at the club, so these problems aren’t going to haunt us forever. The difference between Trusty and Propper is that Trusty is a good player, while Propper is not. Both underestimated the quality of the league and the challenges of playing here, but Trusty has the ability to overcome those difficulties. Propper doesn’t. That’s why I don’t have long-term concerns about him.

We’re in a bit of a rut right now. We strung together three good results, but last night almost put us back to square one. Not entirely—because we didn’t lose—but in terms of building momentum, it was a setback. In terms of an unbeaten run, we salvaged it, but it’s still frustrating to see us make such hard work of a game that should have been straightforward. And it’s especially frustrating to see Trusty, who’s been making real progress, take a step backwards.

Rodgers likes him, though. He has faith in him, but he’s not happy with certain aspects of his game right now, and he’s telling him to raise his standards. That’s exactly what you want to see from the manager. He’s not sugarcoating it or giving him a pass. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Liam Scales play at the weekend as a result of last night.

Anyone writing Trusty off does so at their peril. And, frankly, they’ll look foolish. He’ll come back stronger, and that will be the making of him as a Celtic player. There’s a long way to go in this campaign, plenty of games still to play, and I have no doubt he’ll have a starring role as the season progresses.

Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images

The other night we released our latest podcast episode. In light of events across town we called it Sack The Board! Please check it out and share it if you enjoy it! Help us grow and get even better!