Auston Trusty feels Celtic have something magical within their grasp after cutting the gap to Hearts to one point with two games to play.
Sunday’s 3-1 triumph over Rangers finally eliminated Danny Rohl’s side from the title race while putting the matter firmly in the hands of the champions.
After a turbulent season, Celtic now know that wins over Motherwell on Wednesday and Hearts on Saturday will be enough to confirm them as winners for the fifth successive year.
Seemingly down and out when they lost at Tannadice in March, Martin O’Neill’s players have now equalled their best run of five straight Premiership wins as the finish line comes into view.
And American international Trusty says the dressing room shares the feeling of the fanbase that one of the unlikeliest titles in the club’s history is now a distinct possibility.
‘I don’t think we’ve ever stopped believing,’ said the defender. ‘I think we’ve always had the mindset that it’s been within our grasp. But with the momentum we have now, I would say it can be really magical.
Auston Trusty celebrates Celtic’s Old Firm win over Rangers that has brought the title into view
‘There are highs and lows in the entire season. But I think through the lows we’ve stuck together and got even stronger.
‘We don’t want lows, but with it we can take the positives and get even stronger. We’re just continuing our momentum that we’ve built.’
Under Wilfried Nancy, Celtic were comprehensively outplayed as they lost at Fir Park in December. Although the side have since bounced back, they face a huge task to get the better of a Motherwell side which can wrap up fourth place ahead of Hibs with a win.
‘We should go there and play our game,’ added Trusty. ‘Obviously this year we’ve had our ups and downs. But the momentum we have, let’s just go there and play the Celtic way.’
O’Neill initially returned to the club when Brendan Rodgers left abruptly in October. But despite results improving on his watch, the club pressed ahead with the appointment of Nancy.
The Frenchman proved to be an unmitigated disaster and Celtic sacked him after eight games and 33 days before returning to O’Neill.
Trusty feels the job the veteran has done to twice bring the side back into contention in the title race can’t be overstated.
‘He’s just fantastic,’ said Trusty. ‘What can you not say about him? As a player he had a fantastic career and then as a manager, as a coach, he’s had a fantastic career as well.
‘He’s just that character for us as a team. His first stint when he came here, and then when he came back second time, he just kept us going.
‘He’s calm but also a little bit aggressive. He has a lot of experience and knows exactly what to say. And we reacted well to it.’
Trusty insists the impact of Martin O’Neill across two spells this season has been instrumental
O’Neill’s second stint in charge this term has seen Daizen Maeda return to top form. The Japanese went 17 games without a goal prior to netting in the Scottish Cup semi-final against St Mirren.
Having scored the second goal against Rangers, his side’s third — an outrageous overhead kick — was his sixth goal in the past four matches.
Aside from his goals, Trusty feels the forward’s energy has been one of the reasons Celtic have fought their way back into contention.
‘He’s fantastic, he’s one of the best players I’ve ever played with,’ said the American.
‘Having a guy like that, defensively and offensively, you definitely want him in your side, for sure.
‘When you see someone working their butt off, getting into every spot and tracking back, playing as a No 9, making defensive plays in his own box, it only helps the team.’
