Trusty's Wild Week

Centerback Scored Again in Europe After a Domestic Red Card at the Weekend

Auston Trusty's crucial header secured Celtic's passage to the Europa League knockout play-offs as they held off a spirited Utrecht comeback to win 4-2 at Parkhead on Thursday.

The 27-year-old American defender delivered the decisive moment in the 66th minute, meeting Arne Engels' delivery with a glancing header that found the top-right corner. The goal restored Celtic's two-goal cushion after Utrecht had threatened to complete an unlikely comeback, having reduced a three-goal deficit to 3-2.

Celtic had raced to a commanding lead within 19 minutes—the third-earliest a Dutch side had trailed 3-0 in European competition history. However, Utrecht struck twice without reply, first through Dani de Wit's curling effort before halftime, then Adrian Blake's counter-attacking finish just after the hour mark, creating genuine anxiety around Celtic Park.

Trusty's intervention proved perfectly timed. Manager Martin O'Neill praised the defender's composure during what had become an increasingly nervy encounter, with Trusty completing the full 90 minutes and registering eight defensive contributions alongside his attacking heroics.

The goal marked a welcome moment of redemption for Trusty following a difficult week. He had faced criticism after receiving a controversial red card during Sunday's 2-2 draw with Hearts—a VAR-upgraded dismissal that Celtic unsuccessfully appealed—and had endured defensive struggles in the previous match against Bologna, where Celtic played over an hour with ten men, and Trusty notched his first goal of the season.

Celtic finished 21st in the 36-team standings, securing their knockout stage berth and setting up a play-off tie against either Ferencvaros or Stuttgart, with the first leg scheduled for Glasgow on February 19.