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Auston Trusty on summer 'blur' as Celtic star opens up on dad's health battle The defender helped Celts win an incredible Double before heading straight back to America for the World Cup It's been a whirlwind summer for Auston Trusty. No sooner had the American defender caught his breath after the most dramatic of title finales with Celtic than he was on a plane back home for the World Cup. Trusty - who scored for the USA - lived the dream but also had to deal with a difficult personal issue too, as his dad, Walt, took unwell. Throw in the fact it was the shortest pre-season of his career and it's understandable that the 27-year-old has yet to let the last couple of months sink in. He said: "Yeah, I wanted to. When I got home, unfortunately, my dad was in a really serious health situation. "So I literally landed and I had to go see him first thing. So I didn't really get too much of a moment to take it in across my whole off-season. That's why I had extra time. I still haven't done it yet. "I really need to, just because one, the Celtic season we had and to finish in that fashion. "But also to get called into the World Cup, make the World Cup team, start and then score a World Cup goal. "Those are dreams come true. It's such an amazing period, so I really have to do it because that's what football is all about. But I will, I will." Trusty missed the vast majority of Celtic's pre-season planning but was chucked straight into the deep end for Monday's flag unfurling against Dundee. He said: "Yeah, I mean, it was a week I had off then thrown right back into it. But it's good. "I think Mauricio Pochettino over there had us working really, really hard. The guys who weren't getting as many minutes as we wanted. "So obviously my dad's stuff went on too, so everything kind of felt like a blur. "I didn't feel like I stopped, so I just continued on from last season and from the World Cup." With Liam Scales suspended, Trusty paired up with fellow American Cameron Carter-Vickers at the heart of the defence as Benjamin Nygren got Celtic's title defence off to a winning start. Trusty was thrilled to see pal CCV back in action after a nightmare nine months out with an Achilles injury. He said: "Yeah, it's good. I didn't know who I was going to play with. I didn't know I was going to play. "Scalesy was out, but whether it's Scalesy or Dano (Dane Murray) or Cam, it doesn't matter who I play with. But I know we'll get the job done. Celtic fans were given a lift on Friday when long-term crock Jota was spotted back in first-team training at Lennoxtown. Trusty said: "Yeah, obviously he's been in the facility, so I've seen him a bunch. I think he trained the other day too. It's good for him. He's a good guy. "And when he gets his feet back and feeling confident, I'm sure hel'll be a great addition. Obviously when he came here last year, he only played a little bit of the season and then obviously he got injured. "So I haven't really got to experience what he could really do throughout the entire season. So I'll be really, really happy when he comes back." Meanwhile Trusty hopes to see Martin O’Neill back fit and in the dugout as soon as possible after the veteran boss was hospitalised during the week to undergo a small procedure. He added: "We haven't seen him. I didn't know anything that went on. But obviously to hear anybody in the hospital, you don't want that. It seems like he's in good spirits and he's good, so we'll see him soon.”