The SFA kicked out an appeal by the Hoops who have launched a scathing retort
21:30, 24 Feb 2026Updated 21:32, 24 Feb 2026
(Image: SNS Group)
Former SFA referees Des Roache and Steve Conroy reckon that VAR should not have got involved in Auston Trusty‘s red card against Hibs.
The Scottish champions took the debate over the flashpoint to the SFA after Trusty was sent off for violent conduct after he batted away Jamie McGrath’s arm at a corner in the 2-1 defeat. Ref Matthew MacDermid didn’t initially react to the flashpoint, however Grant Irvine in the VAR room would intervene.
After being sent to the pitchside monitor to review the incident the US international would be given his marching orders. After a fast-tracked appeal, the suspension was upheld and Trusty will miss the next three games – starting with Rangers on Sunday.
Following the decision by Hampden chiefs, Celtic would claim that ref MacDermid had initially claimed the incident was “nothing” to the team in Clydesdale House. And speaking on The Ref’s View podcast, the former Grade 1 whistlers were emphatic about the incident.
Roache said: “I think Trusty was silly in the first place to put himself in that situation, but the bit that gets me is that we see this situation 20-30 times every weekend. Matthew was quite happy, and you could actually see him calling Trusty over to have a word with him.
“When you see it slowed down with that sort of chopping movement, you can go ‘ok, is it violent, is it aggressive’ but if I see that in a game I am pulling you across and I am saying ‘don’t be stupid, get your hands off each other, let the ball come in and get on with the game’. I think that was ridiculous, and very, very silly to get VAR involved.”
Conroy agreed adding: “I think the decision was ludicrous. What are we sending him off for, violent conduct or serious foul play?
“If we are saying it’s violent, then it’s an assault. If we are saying serious foul play then it’s to the endangerment of the opponents safety.
Sportscene’s angle of the Auston Trusty red card
“Which one are we going with? He was trying to break himself away from somebody that had a hold of him, end of story.
“We keep hearing that VAR is being told not to get involved in the minutiae of decisions.
“How can they be getting involved in decisions that are so clearly out of their realm of competence? It’s absolute nonsense.”
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