Celtic defender Auston Trusty thinks patience was key to overcoming Dundee on Wednesday night.
The Hoops triumphed 2-0 winners at Parkhead and maintained their unbeaten run in the Scottish Premiership. However, it took them an hour to find the all-important breakthrough against a stubborn opponent.
Trusty, 26, joined the Glasgow giants from Sheffield United in the summer and has slotted seamlessly into the Celtic backline. He's helped his side keep a clean sheet during his last three appearances, instantly becoming a trusted member of Brendan Rodgers' first team squad.
“It was good," he stated after the latest victory. "We got the result and that was what we wanted to do. We made kind of a good start and had chances in the beginning.
“If we’d scored those early on the game changes and shifts. It didn’t so it went on to the second half.
“But we know it’s going to come. We are a confident team. It’s just a moment in time in a game, so we have to keep doing our jobs.
“That’s what we did. Having patience was big. Playing our style of play and having the ball so much, you might not score with the initial break, but eventually we’ll wear down teams and it will go in our favour.
“You have to be patient to do your job."
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He hasn't been in the door for long, but Trusty is already relishing life at Celtic. “I love it," he explained. "It’s such a historic club. You see the passion from top to bottom in the organisation and with the fans, how they truly care.
“Every game is such an opportunity. Even though it’s game after game after game, it’s amazing and you still have the thrill and excitement every single time.
“Every game is important – every game is a final."
It was the first time that the USA centre-back had been partnered by international teammate Cameron Carter-Vickers in the Celtic defence, and the pair played a pivotal role to limit Dundee to just one shot on target throughout the 90 minutes.
On forging a strong relationship with his countryman, Trusty said: “It was good playing with Cam. I’ve known him for quite a bit now so it was nice playing alongside him.
“Overall it was really good. I’ll do whatever is needed for the team. That’s my mindset and I think I’ve shown my capabilities to play any position along the backline.
“Whatever it is, I’ll give it my best go. I’ll do whatever it takes for the team if the gaffer asks me to do it.”
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