Martin O’Neill criticised VAR intervention after Auston Trusty was sent off for violent conduct in Celtic’s 2-1 defeat to Hibs, with the defender now suspended for the Rangers clash
Martin O’Neill hit out at VAR interference following Celtic’s costly loss to Hibs. The Parkhead manager voiced his frustration after two pivotal second-half decisions swung momentum against his team in the 2-1 defeat.
With the match level at 1-1 and under 20 minutes left on the clock, Auston Trusty received a straight red card following an altercation in the penalty area with Hibs midfielder Jamie McGrath.
O’Neill revealed that referee Matthew MacDermid informed him post-match that he had originally planned merely to have a word with both players before VAR official Grant Irvine instructed him to check the pitchside screen.
After reviewing the replays, MacDermid determined Trusty had engaged in violent conduct, and Celtic’s frustration mounted when, moments later, Liam Scales tumbled in the penalty area during a corner following a shirt pull from Hibs defender Jack Iredale, reports the Daily Record.
Appeals from Celtic players, including the Irish defender, were dismissed by MacDermid, with Irvine opting not to intervene on this occasion.
Discussing the dismissal, O’Neill stated: “Well, I’ve just had a word with the referee. He said he was just going to have a word with the two players, first of all. Then I think VAR intervened and said it was violent conduct.”
When it was suggested to O’Neill that this amounted to re-refereeing the match, he responded: “They’ve been doing it for years, so that’s not going to change.”
O’Neill then addressed the penalty incident involving Scales, commenting: “The referee, I think his words were, he didn’t hold onto him long enough, but it seems a wee bit strange. You’re grabbing someone’s shirt as he’s making a move to get the ball and holding onto his shirt. Some years ago it was a penalty. But VAR, they’ve passed that one on, so there we go.”
Following the final whistle, O’Neill had a word with Trusty, and whilst VAR’s involvement was significant, the manager acknowledged that his centre-back’s actions were misguided given today’s standards.
He explained: “I’ve spoken to him. At the end of it all, you can’t do this. If that’s the rules now, it doesn’t matter if someone is holding onto you, in an attempt to breakaway, you can’t thrust down in the manner in which he did to get away. So I’ve been told it’s violent conduct.”
The dismissal means Trusty will miss Sunday’s Premiership fixture against Rangers at Ibrox.
Celtic previously lodged an appeal last month when the American defender received his marching orders in the 2-2 stalemate with Hearts at Tynecastle.
Nevertheless, considering the seriousness of the infringement and the rationale O’Neill received, the boss doesn’t anticipate challenging this particular decision.
He stated: “Personally I wouldn’t have thought so. The referee has explained to me that’s what VAR said. It was violent conduct, so I don’t think anyone will change their minds on that.”
The red card and penalty came at a crucial moment for Celtic, who had been building pressure and were close to scoring what could have been a decisive 2-1 goal in the latter stages of the match.
However, they ended up losing by that very scoreline, prompting O’Neill to reflect: “We played some really fantastic football. We went in 1-1 at half time and we should probably have been in front.
“The sending off has a big affect. We had the momentum at that stage. We had some chances second half and if you don’t put them away there’s a possibility at the other end.”
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