Key Points
- Celtic’s appeal against the red card shown to Auston Trusty in the 2-2 draw with Hearts at Tynecastle has been dismissed by the Scottish FA.
- The club expressed disappointment and plans to seek further talks with the SFA over the decision and VAR involvement.
- Trusty was initially booked for a challenge on Pierre Landry Kabore before VAR upgraded it to a red for denying a goalscoring opportunity.
- Hearts equalised after the sending-off, leaving Celtic six points behind the leaders in the Scottish Premiership.
Edinburgh (Edinburgh Daily News) January 28, 2026 – Celtic have sought talks with the Scottish Football Association following the dismissal of their appeal over defender Auston Trusty’s red card in Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Hearts at Tynecastle Park.
The American defender was sent off after referee Steven McLean reviewed a VAR recommendation on his challenge against Hearts’ Pierre Landry Kabore. Initially shown a yellow card, the punishment was upgraded for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity, allowing Hearts to equalise late through Claudio Braga.
What Happened During the Hearts Match?
The incident occurred when Kabore chased a through ball and Trusty tackled him outside the penalty area. VAR advised an on-field review, leading McLean to issue the red card. Hearts capitalised with a goal from Claudio Braga, securing a point that kept them six points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership, while Celtic dropped to third, two points behind Rangers.
As reported by Sky Sports, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers described the decision as controversial, stating the ball was moving away from goal and a covering defender was present, likening it to no more than a proposed 10-minute sin-bin rather than a dismissal.
Why Did Celtic Appeal the Decision?
Celtic lodged an appeal arguing the VAR intervention did not meet protocol standards for a clear and obvious error, as the initial yellow card decision stood before review. The Scottish FA hearing on Tuesday dismissed the appeal, prompting a club statement expressing disappointment and intent to pursue further discussions.
What Did Celtic Say About the VAR Process?
In their official statement on celticfc.com, the club noted it is challenging to see how the original yellow card constituted a clear error under VAR rules. They await the written decision and plan conversations with the SFA to understand the reasoning behind this and related rulings.
What Are the Next Steps for Celtic?
Trusty will miss Celtic’s next league match at home to Falkirk on Sunday due to the upheld suspension. The club aims to address officiating concerns through dialogue with the SFA, amid ongoing title race pressures.
According to The Edinburgh Reporter, Celtic remain very disappointed with the outcome but are focused on maintaining their challenge in the competition.
