Celtic interim manager Martin O'Neill has hit out at former striker Frank McAvennie for questioning the time off granted to defender Auston Trusty following the death of his father. O'Neill described McAvennie's comments as "really poor taste" and insisted Trusty will be given as long as he needs to deal with the family tragedy.
McAvennie, who made the remarks on his Let's Be Frank podcast, later backtracked following an online backlash to his comments.
O'Neill: 'That's Not On'
Speaking about the situation, O'Neill said: "That's really poor taste. That's really poor. I know I've said some things and ended up backtracking. But that's a family bereavement.
"And that's making someone's mind up about how long they should be grieving and stuff like this here. That's not on.
"Trusty asked me for some time off. Even if it's a celebration or whatever, it doesn't matter.
Player Has Full Club Backing
O'Neill revealed that Trusty's father had been in poor health for some considerable time and that the player had taken the loss badly. He said: "The father's been in poor health for quite some considerable time. I know there was a stage where he thought that he wasn't going to see it through.
"But I'm with Trusty the whole way there. Because I wouldn't want anybody to tell me that I had to grieve over a brother or sister dying. And I've had that.
"He's 26 years of age. And he's taken it badly. He has taken it badly. Honestly. I've afforded him all the time he wants.
"At some stage, obviously, he'll be going to come back. But at the end of the day, I've given that time because I know that we might be talking about different eras or whatever the case may be. That's nothing to do with it.
"This is a family thing. And that's not right.
"So, Trusty has got the time and he's got the backing of myself and he's got the backing of the club."
