Celtic defender Auston Trusty has expressed confidence that new signing Kasper Hogh possesses the talent to shine in the Champions League, drawing parallels to the Danish forward's impressive performance with Bodo/Glimt last season. Hogh, who joined Celtic for £11 million in the summer, scored five goals in the group stage of the competition last year, including against Manchester City, Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan, and Sporting Lisbon, as Bodo/Glimt reached the knockout stages.
Hogh is set to lead the line for Celtic in their Champions League qualifying playoff against LASK. Trusty noted Hogh's positive start to his Celtic career, highlighting his ability to seamlessly integrate into the squad both on and off the pitch. Hogh's recent hat-trick against Kilmarnock has further boosted his confidence, which Trusty believes is crucial for a forward.
Trusty also pointed out Hogh's impact on Celtic's attacking play, specifically his ability to hold up the ball and utilize his physique. This skill, according to Trusty, provides a vital outlet for defenders and enhances the team's build-up play from the back. "Holding the ball up is pretty crucial to the way we play, building up from the back," Trusty stated. "We have an outlet pass and, as a defender, that gives you more options."
Beyond Hogh, Trusty emphasized the team's collective scoring threat, with ten goals scored in three games by six different players early in the season. He sees the contributions of new forwards like Camilo Duran and Haissem Hassan, as well as the early form of Benjamin Nygren, as indicators of the team's attacking depth.
Trusty, who scored from a corner in a recent match, also credited set-piece coach Ross Grant for improving the team's effectiveness from dead-ball situations. He also expressed the team's determination to advance further in the Champions League this season, contrasting it with a disappointing qualifying exit last year. "At Celtic you are always under that pressure, those expectations. Being a Celtic player, you understand the outside but you also want that," he said.
Celtic is preparing for their Premier Sports Cup quarter-final next month, with the team's mindset focused on securing more trophies. "The mindset is to continue on and win more trophies," Trusty concluded.