Auston Trusty 'stupid' as Celtic defender gets lucky but pundits call out reckless Rangers sinner
There were plenty of incidents that got the debate going at Hampden with Celtic both fortunate and unlucky as Rangers pay the price
A sending off that was and a sending off that wasn't were the two issues dominating the pundit chat during and after the Premier Sports Cup semi-final.
Rangers were already a goal down when Thelo Aasgaard caught Anthony Ralston with his studs in the last area you want to take a sore one.
They shouldn't have been behind, though, after Youssef Chermiti missed a sitter prior to Johnny Kenny's glancing header that gave Celtic the lead, but they found themselves a man down too after Nick Walsh flashed a straight red in the Norwegian's direction. Ralston gingerly picked himself sporting a rip in his shorts and a couple of bleeding stud marks high on his thigh.
It's not a decision Rangers could complain about but Walsh and VAR's call not to send Auston Trusty up the tunnel after him was worthy of debate.
Jack Butland came out to claim a low ball in the box and was getting it all day long. Trusty hung a foot out and caught the keeper in the head before immediately waving his arms about in apology/panic.
Walsh decided it was a booking, while VAR backed him up, claiming there wasn't sufficient force to warrant an ordering off.
That was the first half controversies.
As for the second, Rangers looked better with ten men and while they deserved their equaliser, the penalty it came from wasn't exactly a stick on.
Djeidi Gassama drove into the box and feigned a first shot before shooting. It was blocked en route by the falling Ralston's elbow, and Walsh pointed to the spot.
As the boys in Light Blue demanded a second yellow for the full back, VAR had a look and backed the man in black, which was James Tavernier's cue to step up and level things up and force extra time.
Celtic made their extra man count for half an hour as Callum McGregor's rocket and Callum Osmand's sliding finish put the game beyond Danny Rohl's team.
But the Premier Sports pundits were unanimous over whether they should have had that advantage.
Neil Lennon
Aasgaard red: "I don't think there's any debate, it's a clear red card. It's dangerous. Whether you think he's meant to do it or not, when you see it from this angle it's high, it's into his nether regions if you want to call it that and he's led with the studs. It's a straight red. There's no argument there. He may be unfortunate but it's high, studs up, he's got to go. He's got to be smart there and just pull away.
Trusty yellow: It could have been a red. I think it's totally unnecessary. Jack's always favourite to get the ball and I don't think Auston has to do that. It's not smart. VAR says there's no force in it but that's not the point. It's totally unnecessary. VAR checked it and don't think it's a red. He thinks he's seeng a red. If that's my goalkeeper, I'd be asking for a red card. There's a stupidity there."
Rangers penalty: "When I saw it live I was thinking maybe it's a handball. But when you see it again, he's falling down, diving almost and it does hit his arm. But I don't know where his arms are supposed to go? It's really harsh."
Steven Davis
Aasgaard red: "I don't think there's any intention. The boy's eyes are on the ball the whole time but when your boot's high, you;re giving the referee the option to send you off. It's a high challenge. He can't have any complaints.
Trusty yellow: "For me, it is reckless. Celtic are in a great position within the game and again, you're giving the referee the option to look at it."
Alan Hutton
Aasgaard red: "He tries to pull out. He realises he's high but look, it's a red card. He's way up high and you're obviously going to get a red card for that. He's tried to use his skill to get into a better position. He just tries to knock it over but then he's reacting. Nobody is debating that it's a red card; it's high, it's reckless but he didn't actually mean to go in and do that. But it's a red card."
Trusty yellow: "You can tell by his reaction to it. Trusty's got his hands out, he;s trying to apologise for it and he knows there's contact. If he gives the red, I don't think it gets overturned."
Rangers penalty: "It is harsh, but the only thing I can think of is because he's diving to block the ball. If e was upright with his hands by his sides then it's not a penalty whatsoever. But because he's diving and the hots on target and he's going to block it, that it why it's a penalty. It's the only thing I can think of.
Charlie Mulgrew
Trusty yellow: "I don't know what he's doing. It's so stupid. He's lucky, Aasgaard had his eye on the ball, Trusty clearly just reacts and sticks a leg out. I don't know what he's doing, he's very lucky. It's not as if he’s putting his foot in to try and score, Butland's got a hold of the ball."
Rangers penalty: "It's last ditch defending. He's trying to block it with his back and his hands are by his sides. I don't think it's a penalty."