AUSTON TRUSTY was an unused substitute as USA were hammered 4-1 by Belgium in Seattle this morning to exit the World Cup.
Celtic had eight players representing their countries when the elite competition kicked off on June 11.
Kieran Tierney and Anthony Ralston (Scotland), Daizen Maeda (Japan), Alistair Johnston (Canada), Benjamin Nygren (Sweden), Yang Hyun-jun (South Korea), Sebastian Tounekti (Tunisia) and, of course, Trusty were all hopeful of creating something special for their nations on the world’s biggest stage.
Alas, the players will all be back early at the champions after their countries were eliminated with none of the teams reaching the quarter-finals.
WORLD CUP WOE…Scotland’s Kieran Tierney and Anthony Ralston.
Trusty missed the opening 4- 1 win over Paraguay before scoring and then being injured in the USA’s 3-2 loss to Turkey in matchday three.
The Hoops central defender was forced to watch from the sidelines as Mauricio Pochettino’s side were ripped apart by their opponents as they joined co-hosts Canada and Mexico among the also-rans.
The focus before the game was on the home nation’s Folarin Balogun whose red card against Bosnia was suspended after a controversial intervention by President Donald Trump.
If anything, FIFA’s decision seemed to act as a spur for the Belgians who went ahead early in the encounter with an effort from Charles De Ketelaere although they equalised with their first shot at goal when a Malik Tillman free-kick was deflected past the keeper.
However, the visitors went ahead again 116 seconds later with a header from De Ketelaere.
WORLD CUP WOE…Canada’s Alistair Johnston.
And the end was in sight when keeper Matt Freese froze in attempting to clear the ball outside the box and Hans Vanaken’s long-range attempt eluded a clumsy interception by Tim Ream and rolled into the net.
Romelu Lukaku made certain with a late fourth goal.
Now Trusty and Co will have extended breaks before catching up with their Celtic team-mates as the double winners get ready for the Premiership kick-off against Dundee at Parkhead on Monday August 3.
The club begin their pre-season preparations tonight when they meet Shelbourne in a friendly at Tolka Park in Dublin.
*DON’T miss the unbeatable match report from Shelbourne v Celtic this evening – only in your champion CQN.
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