The noise coming from the other side of the city has hit predictable levels, but the reality is simple. The Auston Trusty incident wasn’t a red card, and both the referee and the VAR team backed that up with clear, calm reasoning.
Rangers may be raging, but the laws of the game don’t bend because a few voices shout loud enough.
Celtic fans watched the debate unfold with a mix of disbelief and amusement. Trusty went in strong, sure, but the idea it was some sort of moment of brutality belongs in a different sport altogether. The officials explained the decision perfectly, yet the outrage machine keeps churning.
When you strip it back, the story is straightforward. The referee saw it live, communicated his thinking, and VAR checked every angle. Nothing in the clip suggested excessive force or violent conduct. That should have been the end of it.
But Rangers have leaned into the drama again, turning a yellow card into a conspiracy. Instead of accepting the laws being applied properly, they’ve gone straight for the headlines. It’s predictable, but it doesn’t change the facts.
Speaking after Trusty’s misstep referee Nick Walsh said: “On-field decision is a yellow card for a reckless action by Trusty.
Willie Collum said: (Scottish Football VAR Review), “We can support the yellow card here in terms of the criteria in the laws of the game.
“It’s important to say that there’s a subjective element to this decision. And we fully respect people’s opinions if they think that’s a red card.
“But here, the on-field communication is very clear from the referee.
“The referee comes to the conclusion that this is a reckless action, rather than anything more serious. The VAR look at the images, and they don’t see anything other than that.
“This falls under violent conduct. What the referee and the VAR team then have to consider: excessive force, brutality.
“The referee comes to the conclusion that there’s not enough force and not enough brutality for him, and the contact is negligible. So, that’s why a yellow card is reached for reckless.”
Collum’s breakdown kills the argument stone dead. Trusty wasn’t out of control, he wasn’t endangering an opponent, and there was no brutality.
Soccer Football – Scottish League Cup – Semi Final – Celtic v Rangers – Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – November 2, 2025 Rangers’ Jack Butland sustains an injury as Celtic’s Auston Trusty, Celtic’s Johnny Kenny and Rangers’ Nicolas Raskin react Action Images via Reuters/Lee SmithThe reaction from Rangers says more about their frustration than the incident itself. When the laws are applied correctly and calmly explained, you’re left with a decision that stands up to scrutiny. This one does.
Simply put, Trusty was rightly booked, and that’s the end of it, unless, of course, you’re looking for something to moan about.
