Auston Trusty’s red card in Celtic’s defeat to Hibs has sparked a heated debate among pundits, with some labeling it “harsh” while others believe it was a justified decision. The centre-back was sent off for violent conduct in the second half after he forcefully batted away Jamie McGrath’s arm at a corner.
Referee Matthew MacDermid initially didn’t react to the incident, but the VAR team intervened, and Trusty was shown a straight red card. Celtic went on to lose the game 2-1, and Martin O’Neill criticized the decision, saying it was “harsh”.
The red card means Trusty will miss the crucial match against Rangers at Ibrox next weekend, unless Celtic decides to appeal the decision. The SFA could fast-track the outcome before the Rangers game, but pundits are divided on whether the defender will be cleared.
Peter Lovenkrands believes it’s a red card, saying: “I 100 per cent think it’s a red card. It’s a stupid thing to do, because he gives the referee a decision to make here. He pushed him, and then he actually punches him down on his arm like that. That is aggressive, and it’s violent conduct by law.”
Scott Allan agrees, stating: “I’m surprised why he is so agitated by it, because it’s not much contact. He has put his teammates in a position, and they have went on to lose the game.”
Kris Boyd and James McFadden also criticized Trusty’s actions, with Boyd saying: “I have no idea what Trusty’s doing there. I know it’s a bit of a coming together, but you can’t just turn around and punch someone.”
However, Daniel Caw disagrees, saying: “People might disagree with this, but it’s never a red card in a million years. The two guys are at a corner, and McGrath has Trusty’s shirt and Trusty bats his arm away on his forearm and McGrath hits the deck.”
Caw believes the decision was “extremely harsh” and doubts it will be overturned, saying: “I didn’t think it was a red, but they very rarely overturn them though. They might back the ref, but I thought it was extremely harsh.”