Simon Donnelly has delivered his verdict on Celtic’s penalty shout against Hibs and Auston Trusty’s red card that cost the Parkhead club a crucial three points in their defence of the title.
Trusty was delivered a Celtic Park red card after VAR instructed the match referee to take another look at the incident.
Strangely, VAR didn’t make the same instruction after Liam Scales was denied a Celtic penalty after a shirt pull moments after Trusty was sent for an early bath.
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And Donnelly, who was at Parkhead for Celtic TV has delivered his verdict on the two big VAR calls in the Hoops’ defeat to Hibs.
Donnelly slams Auston Trusty’s ‘moment of madness’ at Celtic Park
The former Celtic striker was left baffled by Trusty as he delivered his ‘moment of madness’ verdict on the Hoops defender.
Donnelly told Celtic TV, “He kind of punches down to break away from the player, and in today’s rules, especially with VAR, he’s punched down onto his arm.
“It’s just a moment of madness. Because, as I say, at that time, I think we’re not in control of the game, but I think it’s going our way.
“And I think after that the red card, it’s definitely swayed Hibs’ way. And I think they sensed that.
“You know, they began to get a wee bit more grip in the game and looked dangerous.”
Donnelly baffled why Celtic VAR claim did not ‘go to VAR’
As for Celtic’s penalty shout, Donnelly is left confused as to why VAR did not intervene to get the referee to check it.
Donnelly continued, “We had a pause in the game as well, was it gonna go to VAR?
“He’s appealing there that he’s been pulled down on his jersey. He’s trying to go away from his marker.
“And, yeah, you could probably argue the case. But that one doesn’t go to VAR.”
As for Martin O’Neill, he now needs to work out how to replace Trusty in the two Celtic games he will miss as the Hoops boss’ options are really limited.
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