Auston Trusty red card: Celtic's appeal over sending off in Hearts draw dismissed at Scottish FA hearing
Celtic's Auston Trusty was initially booked for his challenge on Hearts' Pierre Landry Kabore but that punishment was upgraded after a VAR check at Tynecastle Park; Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts went on to equalise after the dismissal and drew 2-2 to stay six points clear of Celtic
Tuesday 27 January 2026 18:20, UK
Celtic's appeal over the red card shown to Auston Trusty in the draw at Hearts has been dismissed, following a Scottish FA hearing.
The defender was initially booked by referee Steven McLean for his tackle on Pierre Landry Kabore, who tried to get on the end of a through ball.
However, the VAR (video assistant referee) advised an on-field review and McLean then decided Trusty had denied Hearts a goalscoring opportunity, and the player was sent off.
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League leaders Hearts took full advantage late on as they equalised through Claudio Braga to earn a draw against the champions.
Celtic dropped to third in the Scottish Premiership after that draw, six points behind Hearts and two adrift of Rangers, who are now second.
Trusty will now miss Celtic's next league match, at home to Falkirk on Sunday.
In a statement, Celtic said they are "very disappointed" at the result of the appeal.
They added that "it is difficult to see how the original yellow card decision is a clear and obvious error" and insist they will "be ensuring further discussions with the SFA on the matter" after receiving the written judgement, as they "seek to understand the rationale for this and other decisions".
O'Neill: Trusty challenge was a blue card!
Speaking to Sky Sports after the match at Tynecastle Park, Celtic manager Martin O'Neill insisted the dismissal was the wrong decision.
"The controversial moment, I must admit, was the red card," he said. "It's no more a red card than a blue card [a proposed 10-minute sin-bin]!
"First of all, the ball was going away from goal, second of all, we had a player covering. As far as I remember, if you're going away from goal, it's not a red card.
"The sending off had a major effect, psychologically and physically.
"We're still in the competition [title race]. Simple as that. We've given ourselves ground to catch up from, but we're still there."
Ref Watch: Trusty dismissal 'harsh'
Speaking on Ref Watch on Sky Sports News, former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher agreed with O'Neill and believed Trusty should have remained on the pitch.
"I think it is really harsh", he said. "The law says DOGSO (Denying an Obvious Goalscoring Opportunity) and the O is obvious.
"I think the referee on the field gets it right because the player is not in possession of the ball.
"He has a bit to go to get the ball and he's moving away from goal. He will get the ball eventually but I think the covering defender will get across."
Former striker Jay Bothroyd added on Ref Watch: "It's a possible goalscoring opportunity.
"The player is rapid, and his next touch will take him towards goal.
"I believe he would have got a shot off."
