Celtic seek answers after losing Trusty red card appeal

Celtic will seek "further discussions" with the Scottish FA after having their appeal dismissed against Auston Trusty's red card during Sunday's 2-2 draw with Scottish Premiership leaders Heart of Midlothian.

The United States centre-half, who will miss Sunday's visit by Falkirk through suspension, brought down Hearts striker Pierre Landry Kabore with Celtic leading 2-1 and was originally shown a yellow card by referee Steven McLean.

But the video assistant referee (VAR) advised an on-field review and McLean deemed Trusty had denied a goalscoring opportunity, upgrading the yellow card to red.

That view has now been backed by a Scottish Football Association's fast-track tribunal.

"Clearly we are very disappointed at the outcome," Celtic said on their website.

"The VAR protocol requires that VAR only intervenes when there is a 'clear and obvious error'.

"It is difficult to see how the original yellow card decision is a clear and obvious error and, accordingly, VAR's intervention by the refereeing team was not consistent with the rules.

"We await the written judgement, but will be ensuring further discussions with the SFA on the matter as we seek to understand the rationale for this and other decisions."

Hearts went on to equalise through Claudio Braga and earned a draw that maintained their six-point lead over the defending champions.

Interim Celtic manager Martin O'Neill insisted afterwards that Trusty should not have been dismissed.

"I've seen it back and I have to say I don't see it," said the Northern Irishman.

"Maybe I've been out of the game too long or have misread the rules. But, first of all, the ball that's played is going away from goal and we have a man round on the cover.

"It is not a red card. It is gone now, but it played a massive part."