AMERICAN ROCK STAR

Solid and unbreakable, Trusty put up the blocks on Bologna in midweek with pal Scales who insists it's a partnership that could be set in stone

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MARTIN O'NEILL dubbed him colossal. Liam Scales reckons he's never seen better.

And in the context of Celtic's season, Auston Trusty's Bologna blockade might well be monumental.

After a month of Nancy-ball where the champions' defence was as watertight as a burst sieve the Bhoys backline has been restored.

And while a run of three clean-sheets under Martin O'Neill might have ended with the two second-half goals conceded to the Serie A side in Thursday's 2-2 draw, the hour-long effort while reduced to 10 men was their most impressive shift yet.

The I Rossoblu registered 36 shots over the piece 11 of which were blocked.

And Trusty's 6ft 3in frame was the barrier to most of them as well as scoring his side's second goal.

Scales, on his 25th Euro appearance, was no slouch either as the American and Irish duo led by example for the battling Hoops.

It was the type of backs-to-the-wall battle that can energise a season and convince punters the absence of crocked Cameron Carter-Vickers might not be so damaging.

Asked about his partnership with Trusty, Scales said: "He’s been brilliant.

"Thursday night, I'd say it was up there with the best performance I’ve ever had from a centre-back partner.