Celtic have officially confirmed they will appeal the red card shown to Auston Trusty during Sunday’s shock 2-1 defeat to Hibernian. The club believes the American defender was “wrongfully dismissed” following what they describe as a flawed VAR intervention.
Trusty was sent off while the scores were level at 1-1 after a flashpoint with Hibs’ Jamie McGrath during a corner. If the appeal is unsuccessful, the 27-year-old faces a three-match suspension that would see him miss season-defining trips to Ibrox and Pittodrie, as well as a home clash with Motherwell.
“Go Up the Road” – McGregor Slams Decision
The dismissal has sparked a fierce reaction from the Celtic dressing room. Captain Callum McGregor didn’t hold back, suggesting that if such incidents are deemed red cards, the game is in trouble.
“To send him off for that, we may as well all go up the road and stop playing football,” McGregor told the media. “Auston probably gives them the chance to send him off, but that happens in every single corner kick… it has been for the last 150 years.”
O’Neill vs. VAR
Manager Martin O’Neill revealed that referee Ryan Lee was originally prepared to manage the situation with a warning before the VAR team intervened to upgrade the incident to “violent conduct.”
Because Trusty has already seen red once this season, a “violent conduct” charge would trigger a two-match ban plus an additional one-match penalty for repeat offending. However, due to SFA rules, the United States international would still be available for the Scottish Cup tie at Ibrox on March 8th, regardless of the appeal outcome.
The View from Leith
Unsurprisingly, Hibs boss David Gray saw the incident differently, backing the officials’ decision to send the defender for an early bath.
“You can’t lift your hands with that aggression,” Gray insisted. “That’s violent conduct and a clear and obvious red.”
The SFA’s fast-track tribunal is expected to hear the case later this week, with the result likely to dictate Celtic’s defensive lineup for the most important week of their season.
🗣️ THE VERDICT: RED CARD OR HARSH CALL?
The VAR debate in Scotland continues to rage. Was Auston Trusty a victim of over-officially, or was he just reckless?
- Do you agree with Callum McGregor that the “game is gone” if that’s a red?
- Can Celtic afford to lose Trusty for the Ibrox and Aberdeen trips?
Cast your vote in the comments below! 👇🍀
Co-Founder of Fitba Focus and MMA UK. A lifelong Rangers fan and former player, he combines over a decade of sports media experience with a deep-seated passion for the Scottish game. From the Ibrox stands to the lower-league terraces, Frankie is dedicated to providing honest, fan-led analysis of the full Scottish pyramid.
