Trusty's Unfortunate Dismissal

Defender Sent Off During Top-of-the-Table Clash With Hearts

Auston Trusty's controversial red card proved costly for Celtic in their 2-2 draw with Hearts at Tynecastle on Sunday, sparking fierce debate about the VAR decision that left the champions down to 10 men for the second time in four days.

The 27-year-old American center-back was initially shown a yellow card by referee Steven McLean in the 77th minute after pulling down Landry Kabore as the Hearts player broke through Celtic's defense. However, VAR official John Beaton intervened, advising McLean to review the incident on his pitchside monitor. After consultation, the yellow was upgraded to red for denying a goalscoring opportunity, and Celtic subsequently conceded an equalizer to Claudio Braga with three minutes remaining.

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill was furious with the decision, accusing Beaton of "re-refereeing the game." O'Neill argued that covering defenders Dane Murray and Liam Scales were positioned nearby, and that the ball was traveling away from goal, requiring Kabore to control it before shooting. "It's no more a red card than a blue card - which don't exist," O'Neill stated emphatically.

Before his dismissal, Trusty had completed 77 minutes, winning seven of ten aerial duels and making two clearances. He completed 24 of 40 passes but struggled with his distribution, connecting on just two of nine long balls. The sending-off left Celtic trailing Hearts by six points and Rangers by two in third place, continuing a troubling pattern after they had also played an hour with 10 men against Bologna on Thursday.