**CELTIC FACE INJURY BLOW BEFORE CRUCIAL QUALIFIER AS TWO FIRST-TEAM STARS MISS OUT**
Celtic head into one of the most important nights of their season with a fresh defensive concern hanging over the squad. With a commanding 3-0 advantage from the first leg of their UEFA Champions League play-off against LASK, Martin O’Neill’s side travel to Austria knowing that progression to the league phase is firmly within their grasp. Yet the final preparations have been disrupted by the absence of a key centre-back from training, compounding an existing problem at right-back and forcing the manager to consider contingency plans at the heart of his defence.
On Monday morning at Celtic Park, American defender Auston Trusty was notably missing from the session as the squad prepared to fly out for the second leg. The club has not issued an official explanation, but the timing — just 24 hours before a high-stakes European fixture — has raised immediate questions about his fitness. Trusty had been one of the more reliable performers in the opening weeks of the campaign. He played the full 90 minutes of the 3-0 first-leg victory over LASK at Parkhead, featured in every minute of Celtic’s first two Premiership matches, and even opened the scoring in the Premier Sports Cup win over Dundee United before being substituted with the result already secured.
His absence comes on top of the confirmed longer-term absence of right-back Alistair Johnston. The Canada international has been ruled out for up to six weeks with a hamstring injury sustained earlier in the season. Johnston’s availability has been a recurring theme, and the extended timeline has already prompted Celtic to explore the market for defensive reinforcements before the transfer window closes.
Together, the situations involving Trusty and Johnston represent a significant blow to the depth of O’Neill’s back line at a moment when concentration and organisation will be critical. Even with a three-goal cushion, European away nights carry inherent risks. LASK will be expected to push hard in front of their own supporters at the Raiffeisen Arena, and any defensive uncertainty could invite pressure that Celtic would prefer to avoid.
Context of the Tie and Celtic’s Strong Position
Celtic’s 3-0 first-leg triumph was one of the more emphatic European performances of recent seasons. Goals from Benjamin Nygren and a brace by summer signing Camilo Durán gave the Scottish champions a platform that few expected LASK to overturn. The Austrian side created chances of their own, but Celtic’s clinical finishing and defensive solidity left them in a dominant position.
The second leg is scheduled for Tuesday evening (kick-off 8pm UK time). Victory, or even a controlled draw, would secure Celtic’s place in the Champions League league phase and the substantial financial rewards that accompany it. A heavy defeat remains theoretically possible, but the probability is low provided the visitors maintain their structure and avoid unnecessary risks.
O’Neill has repeatedly emphasised the importance of European football for the club’s ambitions and finances. The veteran manager, who returned to the Parkhead dugout and guided the side to a domestic double last season, understands the value of progression. His squad has shown early-season form in the Premiership and cup competitions, but European nights demand a different level of focus and squad management.
Defensive Options and Contingency Planning
Should Trusty be unavailable, O’Neill’s primary alternative is Liam Scales. The Republic of Ireland international has experience operating at centre-back and has filled in at full-back when required. Dane Murray is another option capable of stepping into the starting XI. Both players offer physical presence and familiarity with the system, yet the sudden nature of the potential absence still represents a disruption to the preferred partnership.
Johnston’s absence has already forced adjustments on the right flank. Young full-back Colby Donovan impressed in the first leg against LASK, while Anthony Ralston provides further senior cover. The club has been linked with permanent or temporary additions in the full-back areas. Southampton’s Japanese international Yuki Sugawara has been mentioned as available, and Hajduk Split’s versatile Niko Sigur — capable of playing right-back or midfield — has re-emerged on the radar. Celtic are also understood to be progressing a season-long loan for Chelsea left-back Landon Emenalo as cover for Kieran Tierney.
These potential arrivals underline a broader recognition that squad depth remains a work in progress. European campaigns, domestic title defences and cup competitions place heavy demands on a relatively small core of trusted players. Injuries at key moments test that depth more than any other factor.
### The Wider Picture of Squad Management
Celtic’s start to the 2026-27 season has been positive on the pitch. Two Premiership wins and progress in the Premier Sports Cup have maintained early momentum. Yet the injury list and the need for careful management of returning players from international duty have been recurring themes since pre-season.
Trusty himself had required additional time away earlier in the summer for personal reasons, while other squad members nursed minor issues after the World Cup. O’Neill has generally adopted a cautious approach to reintegration, prioritising long-term availability over short-term risk. That philosophy will be tested if Trusty’s absence proves more than precautionary.
The manager’s public comments in recent weeks have stressed the need to strengthen regardless of Champions League outcomes. European football is guaranteed at least at Europa League level should Celtic slip up against LASK, but the financial and sporting difference between the two competitions is substantial. Qualification for the Champions League league phase would provide both a platform for higher-profile matches and greater resources for future recruitment.
### What It Means for the Second Leg
From a purely tactical perspective, Celtic remain clear favourites. A three-goal lead allows them to control the tempo, prioritise defensive shape, and look for opportunities on the counter or from set pieces. The presence or absence of Trusty will influence the exact composition of the back four or five, but the principles of organisation and concentration should remain constant.
LASK’s task is enormous. They must score at least three times without reply while preventing Celtic from adding to their aggregate total. Home advantage and the incentive of a historic Champions League appearance will generate intensity, yet Celtic’s quality in both boxes has been evident in the early weeks of the campaign.
For O’Neill, the priority is simple: manage the resources available, minimise unnecessary risks, and secure the result that books a place among Europe’s elite. The injury concerns around Trusty and the confirmed absence of Johnston add an unwelcome layer of complication, but they do not fundamentally alter the balance of the tie.
Looking Beyond Austria
Whatever the outcome in Linz, Celtic face a busy period. Domestic fixtures continue, the transfer window remains open for a short time, and the squad will require careful handling through the autumn. The situations involving Trusty and Johnston serve as a reminder that even well-prepared squads can be tested by the accumulation of absences.
Supporters will hope that Trusty’s absence from Monday’s session proves minor and that he is available for selection. If not, the depth options will be examined under the brightest of European lights. In either case, the focus remains on completing the job against LASK and converting a strong first-leg performance into Champions League qualification.
Celtic have given themselves an excellent platform. The challenge now is to protect it while navigating the latest set of defensive questions. Two first-team players missing or under doubt is far from ideal, yet the quality and experience within the remaining group should still be sufficient to finish the task. The coming 24 hours will clarify Trusty’s status. Until then, the injury blow adds an element of uncertainty to what should otherwise be a night of celebration in Austria.
