Celtic’s defeat to Hibs was not without referee controversy, as Auston Trusty was shown a red card.
Martin O’Neill questioned Trusty’s dismissal after the game. It was not seen by the referee in real time, and the defender walked as a result of a VAR intervention.
Celtic went down to ten, resulting in an open end to the game which saw Hibs grab a winner for their first win at Celtic Park in over 15 years,
The decision has caused controversy – but ex-SFA referee Des Roache has absolutely slammed the VAR-led sending off.
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Des Roache ‘not having’ Auston Trusty red card vs Hibs
Roache told the Daily Record: “Matthew McDermid is what, eight yards away? How many times have we seen this incident play out for the last four years?
“This is one they decide to get involved in. There’s grappling, there’s pulling, there’s pushing.
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“All you need there is Matthew McDermid to be a bit proactive and just blow the whistle, pull the two of them in and say ‘What are you up to? Get your hands off each other, don’t be stupid and behave yourself.’
“At the worst, give Trusty a yellow card. He can only be sent off for serious foul play or violent conduct. I don’t think that falls within the parameters of either of them.
“Aggressive and violent are two different things. entirely. If he went for a caution for an aggressive action, okay. It’s not the worst, but I can buy it.
“I’m not having violence for it. I’m not having serious foul play for him to be sent off… but VAR can’t get involved with a yellow card.
“VAR was Grant Irvine and he’s obviously deemed it to be violent, which is therefore Grant Irvine refereeing that game.
“Which is entirely wrong. That’s why the guy’s on the pitch in the first place. He’s the manager, he’s the boss, that’s Martin O’Neill on the pitch and he’s got Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham as his two assistants.
“What I would have liked to have seen is Matthew McDermid to have come across and say ‘Nah, I’m not having that!”
No holding back from Roache, there.
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With an intense title race ongoing, there is added scrutiny on every decision, adding to the frustration when they go against Celtic.
Trusty was controversially sent off against Hearts as well, being dismissed for a perceived denial of a goalscoring opportunity for Pierre Landry Kabore.
Celtic’s Premier Sports Cup semi-final against Rangers was also awash with major decisions that had an impact on the outcome of the game.
And that’s not even starting on the drama about added-time in Celtic’s late wins….
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