AUSTON TRUSTY revealed he thought Kasper Schmeichel was a top-class keeper before he joined Celtic.
The USA international centre-back caught up with the Hoops’ Great Dane when he signed a £6million five-year deal from Sheffield United on deadline day.
Trusty has played 10 full games in front of the 38-year-old netminder and now acknowledges his new team-mate is the “real deal”.
The 6ft-plus left-sided back-four performer has seen Schmeichel close-up and the displays of Denmark’s legendary 109 times-capped custodian have left him in no doubt about his quality.
Trusty, who hopes to get the nod to play in front of the keeper against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park this afternoon, said: “Kasper is class, the real deal.
IN CONTROL…the stylish Auston Trusty brings the ball out of defence in the 2-1 win over Ross County in Dingwall last month.
“It’s great as a centre-back to know that you have someone like that behind you. With his feet and also as a shotstopper, he’s a class player.
“It’s an honour for me to play with him.”
The 26-year-old Pennsylvania-born star, an international team-mate of Cameron Carter-Vickers, missed training at Lennoxtown on Friday to spark concerns about his availablity to face Derek McInnes’ side this afternoon.
Trusty limped off after Celtic’s momentous 3-1 Champion League victory over RB Leipzig at Parkhead on Tuesday night, continued: “I rolled my ankle pretty bad and it was hurting for the rest of the game.
“How did I get through it? Just the atmosphere. You play for these nights, you live for them.
“I was a little kid in my bedroom dreaming of playing on that field, in that environment. So, I wasn’t going to let a little ankle sprain bring me down.
HAIL THE HEROES…Kasper Schmeichel and Alistair Johnston embrace at the final whistle of Celtic’s 3-1 Champions League triumph over RB Leipzig at Parkhead.
“The whole night was amazing. When I came here, I had heard all the stories. I made my debut in the Champions League against Slovan Bratislava, but it was only for a small amount of minutes.
“To start the game on Tuesday night and just be in there, in that mindset, was a dream come true for me. It was just incredible.”
Trusty, speaking to the Daily Record, added: “The games come so quick and fast here. That’s hard, but it’s also a blessing.
“I have such big, important games to play for a historic club. And in every game, you just want to give your all and give your best.
“I’m doing my thing. I’m here for a reason and we’re all capable players at Celtic. That’s a great team to have.
“You have guys who want to play and are capable of playing. So, any chance you get, whoever it is, you want to take advantage of it.”
*DON’T miss the unbeatable match report and best action images from Kilmarnock v Celtic this afternoon – only in your champion CQN.
