CELTIC will appeal the red card shown to Auston Trusty during Sunday’s title clash at Tynecastle against Hearts.
The Hoops defender was sent off in the 77th minute of the 2-2 draw for a foul on Pierre Landry Kabore.
Trusty impeded Kabore as the Hearts striker attempted to run onto a through ball and brought him down around 30 yards from goal.
Referee Steven McLean originally gave the Celtic player a yellow card but John Beaton on VAR called him to the monitor for an-field review.
McLean then changed his mind and brandished a red card.
Celtic’s statement read: “We can confirm that Celtic Football Club will be submitting an appeal to the SFA in relation to the red card imposed on Auston Trusty, following the intervention of VAR during Sunday’s match at Tynecastle.”
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Celts boss Martin O’Neill felt the decision to send Trusty off was harsh and was an example of an infringement that would merit a ‘blue card’.
Hoops skipper Callum McGregor called into question the reasoning for VAR becoming involved, asking if the incident fell into the ‘clear and obvious error’ category.
Kabore was bearing down on goal and Trusty was the last man, though other factors that could be considered would be the direction of travel of the player and the ball and any covering defenders.
O’Neill said: “I do have an argument with the red card.
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“The referee gave a yellow and was sent over, with VAR obviously re-referring the game.
“It’s no more a red card than a blue card – which don’t exist.
“First of all, the ball was going away from goal, so the player had to get hold of it and control it.
“Secondly, and more importantly, we’ve got someone on the cover. That’s what the referee saw in the first place and he was pretty close to it.
“It’s not how it went and it puts you under severe pressure in those last 20 minutes.
“I didn’t seek out the referee for an explanation but given the chance I might do.”
McGregor added
: “To be honest, it’s probably one if he gives a red off the bat, you’re probably not too surprised.
“But when he gives the yellow, I think the only question is, is that an obvious enough error to then go to the monitor? I’m not sure.
“But again, I think if it went either way, you kind of have to accept it.
“It’s one of those grey area ones.”
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