DONE DEAL: After a failed original effort, Rangers have finally signed Auston Trusty.

For the on-loan Arsenal defender who enjoyed his best season in the English Championship with Birmingham City, the Light Blues submitted a £3 million proposal.

Mikel Arteta, the current manager of the Gunners and a former Rangers midfielder, was unable to part with the USA international goalkeeper despite the offer.

In the summer of 2024, the ardent Philadelphia Eagles American football fan signed a £6 million contract with Celtic from Sheffield United, and as football luck would have it, he did land in Glasgow.

The rest as they say is history.

Trusty is loving life in Glasgow and is focusing on a clean sweep of the house with the men in green and white.

The 26-year-old remarked: “I remember when Rangers tried to sign me. After a really successful season at Birmingham, I was one of the best center-backs in the Championship at the time. Thankfully, I had a lot of options, and it was a really blessed position to be in. Rangers were interested, there was real interest, and there were talks. I wasn’t really engaged with that process and there were other teams interested as well. I am really happy with the way it worked out for me on this side of Glasgow with Celtic and this team. It has all paid off.”

Trusty talked about how, while growing up in Philadelphia, he contracted the Glasgow derby bug. Even still, his personal professional experiences in the rivalry haven’t been great so far.

He was laid low by illness for Rangers’ 3-0 Scottish Premiership thumping at Ibrox in January, and he was hooked at halftime during the League Cup final victory on penalties at Hampden in December.

He readily acknowledges, though, that the Celtic players have a steely resolve to make amends this weekend.

Trusty said: “I wasn’t feeling the best. I became quite ill with the winter sickness that was circulating. I wouldn’t have wanted it on anyone else, but a lot of guys had it back then, and that’s not easy!

However, it wasn’t our day as a squad that day. However, we overcame that and went on to have some strong performances. We simply didn’t have that day. It’s a completely different day.

“The games have proceeded as they have, but now we are at this point. All I can hope for is the chance to support the team and then move on.

We’ve only suffered a few defeats this season, and we’ve adopted the mindset that we want to ensure that any side that defeats us doesn’t do it again. That applies to anyone, including Rangers. A great deal of incentive exists.

“What is supposed to be, will happen. I’m sure I’ll have my chances, and I plan to seize them if they present themselves this weekend.

I grew up in Philadelphia, so I was familiar with the vibe surrounding this match. I haven’t had many experiences this week, but that’s because I don’t get out very often! I live my life at home and go to training, but you definitely feel it when you go out, and it’s all a part of it.

“We have played a lot of games, but it gave us an opportunity to work on some things both individually and as a team. We know this week is an opportunity for us to show what we are about, so we are prepared for it. We know its significance with the rivalry in the city. There are definitely the games you want to be involved in and the atmospheres you want to be around.” “You do get a feeling it’s a big week.”

Whilst Celtic are cruising to the Scottish Premiership title – three more league wins will see them claim the coveted chequered flag – Trusty says that nobody will take their foot off the throttle until the silverware has been achieved.

That directive comes straight from manager Brendan Rodgers, which is why he won’t consider the idea that Sunday’s derby match outcome isn’t important in the long run, even though a defeat would merely postpone the inevitable championship celebration.

“We won’t undervalue them at all,” Trusty stated. We approach every game as though it were a cup final. Whether we are playing in the Champions League, a domestic match, or a major rivalry, it makes no difference who we are playing against.

Since they are all significant, we don’t treat them any differently. Those who claim that the outcome is irrelevant are neither members of our organization nor athletes.

“We can’t think like that. The attitude originates from the top. Everything is driven by the management, and we do what he says. We sacrifice everything for him.

“It’s not possible given the culture and surroundings of this team. There is absolutely no space for it. This is a significant matter for us.

“It is significant for several reasons. This is the type of game that draws you in as a player; these matchups offer a lot of emotion, both positive and negative. You want to get involved in these kinds of situations.

Jota has already been telling him about his Glasgow derby adventures, Trusty joked.

With six victories and four goals against the Ibrox team in ten games, the Portuguese winger has a strong rivalry record.

Regarding initial impressions, he stated: “The first thing that came to mind for me was Jota’s character. He is a wonderful man who is very nice and friendly.

“He’s an amazing player. Since returning, he has been excellent for us. He has played in important games like this one and at the club. Although it was before my time, I am aware of how significant a player he is. Every man is significant.

Speaking of Rangers, how does Trusty feel about the purported takeover of Celtic’s rivals by a group connected to 49ers Enterprises?

Ironically, the San Francisco 49ers and the Philadelphia Eagles, the current Super Bowl champions, have developed a small rivalry in recent years.

“The Dallas Cowboys are the Eagles’ main rivals, but we’ve played the 49ers a few times lately,” Trusty stated.