Auston Trusty feels Celtic have unfinished business in Germany as they prepare to welcome VfB Stuttgart on Thursday.
A year ago, the Scottish champions came within seconds of taking Bayern Munich to extra-time in the Allianz Arena despite narrowly losing the first leg of the Champions League tie in Glasgow.
While Martin O’Neill’s side are now competing at the same stage of the Europa League, a Stuttgart team currently sitting fourth in the Bundesliga are likely to present a test every bit as tough as Celtic faced 12 months ago under Brendan Rodgers.
Although ultimately disappointed not to defeat Bayern, USA international Trusty feels the performances in both matches should offer inspiration as Celtic seek to prolong this European adventure.
‘It’s about believing in us as a team,’ said the 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.’
Bayern Munich’s Alphonse Davies celebrates his late goal that sealed Celtic exit last year
Nicholas Kuhn scored a second-half goal to level the tie and have Celtic dreaming of progress
Trusty relished his battle with the likes of Harry Kane and is eager to take on Stuttgart
Trusty admits that taking Stuttgart’s scalp would be a statement victory which would remind the continent that Celtic are still capable of competing at that 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.’
While Stuttgart will undoubtedly be a formidable opponent, Trusty is unsure if they will provide the toughest test Celtic have encountered this season.
‘As a squad? I’m not sure,’ he said. ‘I think there are tests every single week. It’s a lot about mentality.
Stuttgart are currently fourth in the Bundesliga and will be a tough hurdle to overcome
‘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.’
With a three-way title fight seemingly set to go to the wire, there’s a school of thought that Celtic would be better off putting all their efforts into retaining their domestic crown. Trusty, though, believes a prolonged run in Europe can actually be a confidence booster for the 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.’
