Most managers like to stick with the tried and tested when it comes to their defence. So, the expectation was that Celtic would field Cameron Carter-Vickers and Liam Scales as their starting centre-backs in the big game against Aberdeen at Hampden Park. But instead, Brendan Rodgers decided to place his trust in Auston Trusty.
The selection was proven right. Celtic ended up keeping a clean sheet against Aberdeen in a 6-0 win for the Hoops. Victory for Rodgers' side was not a surprise but the magnitude of it certainly was.
Aberdeen have been flying high this season and were coming off a 2-1 win over the Rangers in midweek. Just a few weeks ago, they had come back from two goals down to draw 2-2 against Celtic at Parkhead.
Rodgers has now explained his decision to leave Scales out of the starting XI against Aberdeen. It was very much a tactical move. As reported by Glasgow Times, the manager said while speaking to Premier Sports ahead of the game:
"It was very tough because Liam's been absolutely brilliant for me since he came into the team.
"But we try to look at each game, and I felt that with the striker that we thought Aberdeen were going to play who likes to run in behind, so we [wanted to] add that extra bit of pace into the backline.
"Auston's physicality is very good, and that was the reason for that."
Celtic boss explains why Liam Scales was dropped vs Aberdeen
Scales has been a regular starter for Celtic since the return of Rodgers as manager last year. But with him being dropped from a match of this importance, one has to wonder whether he has now fallen behind Trusty in the pecking order.
Trusty was signed from Sheffield United in the summer for a transfer fee believed to be in the region of £6 million. And while plenty of his early displays for Celtic have not been exactly convincing, it looks like Rodgers is ready to give him a chance to play alongside Carter-Vickers before reaching any conclusions.
Trusty did manage to pass this test with flying colours. Of course, there will be more opportunities available for Scales to showcase his talents over the coming months.