Martin O’Neill has publicly rebuked Frank McAvennie for questioning the compassionate leave Celtic have given Auston Trusty following the death of the defender’s father.
McAvennie, the former Celtic striker, raised the length of Trusty’s absence on his Let Me Be Frank podcast. The Scottish Sun reported his comments: “I’ve got every respect for that, but how long do you want off?”
When the podcast’s presenter put it to McAvennie that everyone grieves differently, he replied: “It’s the woke brigade now, isn’t it? It’s nonsense.”
The comments drew a fierce backlash from supporters. McAvennie has since apologised twice, the second time in a statement addressed directly to Trusty and his family.
The Scottish Sun published that statement, which read: “I’m genuinely sorry for any hurt I’ve caused Auston or his family. That’s the last thing I’d ever want.”
“That’s Really Poor Taste”
O’Neill was asked about the remarks at his press conference before Thursday’s Europa League match against Besiktas, and his answer left no room for doubt.
“That’s really poor taste. I know I’ve said some things and ended up backtracking. But that’s a family bereavement,” O’Neill said, in comments published by the Glasgow Times.
“And that’s making someone’s mind up about how long they should be grieving and stuff like this here. That’s not on.”
O’Neill explained that Trusty had asked him for the time, that the defender’s father had been in poor health for a considerable time, and that Trusty has taken the loss badly.
“I’m with Trusty the whole way there,” he said. “He’s 28 years of age. And he’s taken it badly. Honestly. I’ve afforded him all the time he wants.”
“Trusty has got the time and he’s got the backing of myself and he’s got the backing of the club.”
Where Trusty Stands
Trusty has not played for Celtic since the match against Benfica on October 18, and he was not involved in Thursday’s 3-2 Europa League win over Besiktas.
There remains no timetable for his return to the side. Celtic play Kilmarnock on Sunday, their final match before the international break.
The leave has not cost Trusty his international place. He was named in the United States squad on Wednesday for the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals against Haiti.
Whether he travels to join the squad, which plays in Miami on November 14 and Cincinnati on November 17, will be decided by the player and the two staffs. It has not been announced.
