IT WAS A THRILL MEETING OUR ZERO

Last-gasp tackles and headers galore but Trusty insists he loved Hoops' backs-to-the-wall display that earned vital point

- MICHAEL GANNON

IT was a bombardment at times. Auston Trusty won so many headers in the first half in Bergamo last night you half expected him to come back out in the second period wearing a crash helmet.

The American centre-half was immense at keeping one of Europe's hottest strike forces at bay for 90-plus minutes in Italy.

It was frantic sometimes and the pressure was relentless at others but Trusty admitted it wasn't stress he was feeling.

It was fun. The more the Serie A side came at him, the more he lapped it up and while fans in the ground and watching back home were being put through the ringer, Trusty was feeling nothing but enjoyment.

He said: "Not everyone chooses to be a centre-back. You have to be a little bit crazy to choose centre-back.

"You're put in these situations where you have to win the ball with your head and make last-minute tackles and sometimes dangerous tackles.

"I'd be lying if I said I don't love it! That's a strong point in my game. If they want to cross it, then so be it.

"If that's what they want to do, then more the merrier.

That's what they decided to do in the game.

"They had multiple options to try to break us down but I think overall as a team, we did our jobs.

"I think that's why I joined this club. It's how to sink or swim. You want to be able to swim in this situation and make the most of it. These are big moments.