The VAR audio has been released explaining the decision to send off Auston Trusty during Celtic’s controversial draw with Hearts at Tynecastle. The red card divided opinion and did seem to cause some controversy online, with manager Martin O’Neill far from happy with the decision.
The match itself now feels a long way off, but Friday night’s VAR Review programme revisited the flashpoint that proved pivotal. Celtic had led twice in Edinburgh before being held to a 2-2 draw after Auston Trusty was dismissed for a challenge on Hearts forward Landry Kabore, which denied an obvious goalscoring opportunity.
On the pitch, referee Steven McLean initially produced a yellow card, judging that Kabore did not have clear control of the ball. That decision was then reviewed by VAR at Clydesdale House, with John Beaton leading the discussion.
The newly released audio captures the moment the on-field call was overturned. McLean explained his original view by saying: “On-field decision is yellow card, I didn’t think he had control of the ball.”
John Beaton: “OK Stevie, we’re checking on-field decision of yellow card. Tell me what you see here Duncan.”
Duncan Nicolson: “What I’ve got is a ball coming through, it’s on the ground so there’s a possibility to control the ball. The ball is going wide, but still in the general direction of goal. I’ve got a defender that’s level…”
Beaton: “That defender’s not getting back… at the point of contact, we need to make an assessment that he is going to get this ball, and he’s going to get a clear, unobstructed opportunity to score the goal. The ball’s not rolling quickly enough…”
Nicolson: “No, he’s going to gain possession of the ball.”
Beaton: “So in my opinion here, based on this, I think there’s a reasonable expectation that the attacker’s going to take possession of this ball, there’s no defender that can get back to stop him. Based on where the ball goes and where he is, I think that’s an obvious goalscoring opportunity. Would you agree?”
Beaton: “This is where the assessment has been made. There’s no other defender there, it’s in a fairly central position, and that’s the distance from the ball.”
McLean: “He would be in control of the ball. He would gain possession and have an opportunity to score a goal. Okay, red card.”
Speaking on Sky Sports, refereeing chief Willie Collum confirmed the officials had reached the correct outcome, backing the decision to upgrade the yellow to a red.
The release of the audio offers clarity on how the call was made, even if it does little to change minds among supporters. The sending-off proved costly on the day for Celtic. The explanation shows the red card hinged on the denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity, not interpretation or inconsistency. Whether fans agree or not, the VAR conversation makes clear why the decision went the way it did.