WE TRUST'IN THE PROCESS

IMPERIOUS Auston Trusty saluted 10-man Celtic's heroic backs-to- the-wall stand in Bologna - then set his sights on Europa League knockout football.

- RYAN MCDONALD

The American was immense as Martin O'Neill's side clung on for a point that keeps their playoff hopes alive.

Trusty produced a string of crucial interventions as the Hoops were put under relentless pressure following Reo Hatate's first-half red card.

And the USA international even stunned Bologna by doubling Celtic's lead just before the break, after Hatate had earlier capitalised on a gift from keeper Lukasz Skorupski.

The Italians mounted a two-goal second-half fightback but Trusty was proud of how the Scottish champions dug in.

He said: "It was a good performance. Going down to 10 men with the majority of the game left is not ideal. But it shows true characteristics of the team and the mentality of the team to one, get a goal, to go up another goal, but also stay in the game and get a point.

"Yeah, you don't want to see the second goal go in. You want to come here and get a win.

"I thought we could come here and get three points. Again, it's away tie so to get a point on the road, it's still good. Hopefully we can continue that momentum.