One of the bigger flashpoints in Celtic’s 3–1 extra-time victory over Rangers at Hampden came late in the first half, when Auston Trusty escaped a red card after catching Jack Butland in the head while chasing down a loose ball.
The incident came just minutes after Thelo Aasgaard had been shown a straight red card for Rangers following a reckless challenge on Anthony Ralston, which left the Ibrox side furious when referee Nick Walsh opted for only a yellow for Trusty.
Rangers players immediately surrounded the referee, appealing for a red card, with replays showing Trusty’s boot making contact with Butland’s face as the Celtic defender stretched to challenge the keeper.
However, VAR officials reviewed the incident and decided no further action was necessary, ruling that the challenge was “reckless” rather than “dangerous”, which under IFAB laws constitutes a yellow card offence rather than a red.
Emma Dodds confirmed the VAR explanation during Premier Sports’ half-time analysis, revealing that officials viewed the contact as reckless.
While it did little to calm the anger in the Rangers camp, the officials’ interpretation was clear that there was no malice or significant force behind the contact, and the Celtic defender’s actions were considered instinctive rather than reckless endangerment.
It proved to be another major talking point in a match filled with drama, controversy and emotion, one that ultimately ended with Celtic marching into the Premier Sports Cup final after extra time, thanks to goals from Johnny Kenny, Callum McGregor and Callum Osmond.
