Celtic defender Auston Trusty believes the Scottish champions have unfinished business in Germany as they gear up to welcome Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart to Parkhead on Thursday evening. The Europa League clash represents a significant opportunity for Celtic to prove their continental credentials once more, following a heartbreaking exit at the hands of Bayern Munich in the Champions League just over a year ago.
A Lingering Sense of Disappointment
In a dramatic twist of fate last season, Celtic came agonisingly close to forcing extra-time against the mighty Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena, despite having narrowly lost the first leg of their Champions League tie in Glasgow. That late collapse, sealed by a goal from Alphonso Davies, left a profound mark on the squad.
Now, under the management of Martin O’Neill and competing at the same stage of the Europa League, Celtic face a Stuttgart side currently sitting fourth in the Bundesliga. Trusty acknowledges that the German outfit will likely present a test every bit as formidable as the one posed by Bayern Munich under former boss Brendan Rodgers twelve months prior.
Building on Past Performances
Despite the ultimate disappointment of not defeating Bayern, USA international Trusty insists the performances across both legs should serve as a powerful source of inspiration as Celtic seek to extend their European adventure this campaign.
‘It’s about believing in us as a team,’ stated the central defender. ‘We had a great run in the Champions League last year and we actually felt disappointed leaving Munich, not winning and not advancing more into the competition. So it’s all about building up from there, really. Obviously we’ve had some dips in the European season that haven’t gone in our favour, but it’s about getting back to where we were and hopefully we get there.’
The memory of Nicholas Kuhn’s second-half equaliser in Munich, which briefly had Celtic dreaming of progression, remains fresh. Trusty, who relished his personal duel with Bayern stars like Harry Kane, is now eager to test himself against Stuttgart’s attacking threats.
A Statement Victory Awaits
Trusty openly admits that securing a victory over Stuttgart would constitute a major statement win, one that would remind the wider European football community that Celtic remain capable of competing at the highest level.
‘Yeah, I sure hope so,’ he added. ‘It’s just about us being confident and getting back to that place and getting to that spot. Again, when we played Bayern Munich at home, we did fairly well and then going there and really pushing the game to our terms, we had a lot of momentum and a lot of confidence. I think depending on how the first game goes, we all look forward to it. The bright lights and with a lot of pressure on, it’s important that we all deliver what really matters.’
The Ultimate Test?
While Stuttgart will undoubtedly pose a formidable challenge, Trusty remains uncertain if they will provide the single toughest test Celtic have encountered throughout this entire season.
‘As a squad? I’m not sure,’ he pondered. ‘I think there are tests every single week. It’s a lot about mentality. Again, this season hasn’t gone exactly how every Celtic fan, every Celtic player, would want it to go. So, every game’s a test, mentally, physically, spiritually, all of the above.’
Europe as a Catalyst for Domestic Success
With a gripping three-way title fight in the Scottish Premiership seemingly destined to go down to the wire, some observers argue that Celtic would be better served concentrating all their energies on retaining their domestic crown. Trusty, however, firmly believes that a prolonged and successful run in European competition can actually serve as a significant confidence booster for the intense domestic title race.
‘I think it’s about taking it game by game,’ he offered. ‘I think a lot of times players can look at the bigger games and get hyped for them, but it’s also about looking at the in-league games. There’s pride, there’s intensity. We need to win and that’s just the basis of it. This is a winning culture, winning environment, winning organisation and we expect titles here.’
The stage is set for another memorable European night at Celtic Park, with Trusty and his teammates determined to exorcise the ghosts of Munich and write a new, triumphant chapter against their German visitors.
