What VAR said about Auston Trusty kick, as Neil Lennon responds to Celtic and Rangers red card drama

Add as preferred source on Google

The Glasgow derby is providing pure drama once again.

On Sunday, Celtic and Rangers met in the League Cup semi-final at Hampden, with the 90 minutes providing chaos, goals and red card drama.

In the first half, Thelo Aasgaard was sent off following his high challenge on Anthony Ralston. Celtic were already 1-0 up at this stage after Johnny Kenny’s brilliant header.

Then, just before the break, Auston Trusty was yellow-carded by the on-field referee Nick Walsh for catching Jack Butland in the face with his boot.

It caused anger with the opposition because there were suggestions that the Celtic defender should have been sent off, just like Aasgaard.

• READ MORE: Neil Lennon doubles down on his opinion of the Celtic owners after Dermot Desmond statement

What VAR said about Auston Trusty’s challenge on Jack Butland

At half-time, Premier Sports looked at both incidents, and host Emma Dodds shared that VAR felt that Trusty’s challenge was ‘reckless’, but not worthy of a sending off.

Emma Dodds: “Are Celtic lucky to have a man advantage, when you look at this from Trusty on Jack Butland right on the stroke of half-time.

“It was a yellow card. Should it have been a red? VAR said it was ‘reckless’. What’s the difference between that and reckless at the other end, which was a red?” 

Neil Lennon on Celtic and Rangers red card challenges

Neil Lennon shared his thoughts on both incidents, and he stated that Aasgaard’s challenge was a ‘clear red’ and ‘dangerous.’

The rest of the panel, including Charlie Mulgrew and former Rangers duo Steve Davis and Alan Hutton, agreed.

That’s when talk turned to Trusty’s challenge, as Lennon admitted it was ‘totally unnecessary’ from the USMNT international, and he was ‘lucky’ not to get sent off.

Lennon on Aasgaard red card: “I don’t think it’s a debate. It’s a clear red card. It’s dangerous. Whether you think he meant to do it or not. It’s high. It’s into Tony Ralston’s nether regions, and he has led with his studs. It’s a straight red. There is no argument there. Studs up. He has to go.”

Lennon on Trusty challenge: “I think it’s totally unnecessary. I think Jack is always favoured to get the ball. What I  would say there is no force in it. But that’s not the point. I think it’s totally unnecessary.

“VAR checked it. They don’t think it’s a red. But he is lucky.”