Celtic defender Auston Trusty feels well-prepared for his upcoming Champions League challenge against Bayern Munich's Harry Kane, drawing confidence from his previous encounters with football legends during his MLS career.
The USMNT star, who built his foundation in Major League Soccer with Philadelphia Union, had early career-defining moments facing some of football's most iconic strikers. In 2018, he went head-to-head with Zlatan Ibrahimovic when the LA Galaxy visited Philadelphia. Though his team suffered a 3-1 defeat with Ibrahimovic finding the net, Trusty views it as a valuable learning experience. His MLS journey also included matches against Wayne Rooney at D.C. United and David Villa at New York City FC, both European football royalty who brought their talents to American shores.
Now at Celtic, Trusty faces perhaps his biggest challenge yet in the Champions League last 16 knockout stage playoff against Bayern Munich. Fresh from his Premier League experience with Sheffield United, he approaches the formidable task with measured confidence.
"These are the opportunities where you have to show it," Trusty declared ahead of the first leg at Celtic Park. "You have to go out there and perform against a team like Bayern Munich, who have huge backing. Harry Kane is a world-class striker but I've played against a few." He added, "I've played against Zlatan. I've played against Rooney. I've played against David Villa. I've played against all the guys in the Premier League, different guys who are doing well now. I feel like I've played against a lot of top guys. You learn from these experiences. Absolutely. The experiences I've had in the past can set me up for this and beyond."
Trusty has already proven his mettle in Europe's premier competition. His stellar defensive partnership with Liam Scales in Celtic's goalless draw against Atalanta during the group stage demonstrated his ability to perform at the highest level. This experience will be crucial as Celtic prepare to face Bayern's fearsome attacking lineup, which includes not only Kane but also dangerous forwards like Leroy Sane, Jamal Musiala, and Kingsley Coman.
The American defender and his Celtic teammates will have one significant advantage when they host the German giants - the legendary atmosphere of Celtic Park. Known for its electric European nights, the home crowd's energy could prove crucial as Celtic attempts to contain Bayern's powerful attack.
