Celtic frustration at SFA Appeal outcome on Trusty red card

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The Celtic Star

·29 January 2026

Celtic frustration at SFA Appeal outcome on Trusty red card

Martin O’Neill has voiced his frustration after Celtic’s attempt to overturn Auston Trusty’s dismissal at Tynecastle on Sunday was rejected, branding the outcome a blow for Celtic…

Referee Steven McLean shows Auston Trusty a red card after a VAR review. Hearts v Celtic, 25 January 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou.

The defender was initially cautioned by referee Steven McLean before a VAR intervention led to a review for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity, resulting in the booking being upgraded to a red card.

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The decision was later upheld on appeal, leaving Trusty unavailable for selection for Sunday’s game against Falkirk at Celtic Park.

Addressing the issue in his pre-match media duties ahead of tonight’s Europa League outing against FC Utrecht, O’Neill admitted via Celtic’s YouTube channel: “I’m disappointed. I’m disappointed at the referee’s decision in the first place for a yellow card.”

“I didn’t think it was clear and obvious, and it was nice to get backing from a lot of the referees who have actually had a lot of big, big matches, when they were being interviewed, but it is what it is.”

Auston Trusty walks off after Referee Steven McLean shows the Celtic defender a red card after a VAR review. Hearts v Celtic, 25 January 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou.

Asked to comment on the growing debate over officiating standards and controversial calls affecting Celtic and other team in the Scottish Premiership this season, O’Neill went on to address the issue further, offering his perspective on the wider discussion.

“You make up your own mind with that one,” he said. “It has never been a problem before. I never had a problem with that in my first spell away here 25 years ago – never had a problem at all. I just expected no decisions to come our way.”

Martin O’Neill head coach of Celtic FC during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD7 match between Bologna FC 1909 and Celtic FC at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on January 22, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

“It’s interesting now to see managers and pundits talking about being surprised to see Celtic getting a red card. It did make me laugh because our disciplinary record is actually very good – and it is a lot better since I left the club.”

“Maybe it’s me. I have a lot of paranoia about me. But I’m seeing a shrink at the moment, I’m perfectly all right. Yeah, I’m perfectly all right, he’s not. I’m talking quite a lot of balderdash. That’s an answer to your inane question.”

Conor Spence

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