Barry Ferguson spots exact Celtic moment Auston Trusty feared red card after Jack Butland controversy
The Rangers legend was baffled that Trusty was let off the hook by whistler Nick Walsh
Barry Ferguson insists Auston Trusty's reaction to his stray boot on Jack Butland proves the Celtic star was lucky to avoid a red.
Trusty escaped with a yellow when he caught Rangers keeper Butland on the head in the final seconds of a frantic first-half.
Ref Nick Walsh and VAR Steven McLean have come under fire for opting against a harsher punishment - with Celts leading 1-0 at the time and with a man advantage after Thelo Aasgaard's earlier sending off.
To rub salt into the wounds, USA stopper Trusty was named Man of the Match as the Hoops booked their place in the Premier Sports Cup Final with a 3-1 win after extra-time.
But baffled Ibrox legend Fergie is adamant the giant stopper should've been sent packing for a moment of madness.
He told Go Radio: "It's a red card all day long. That's endangering an opponent.
"You can see by Trusty's reaction right after it, he knew he was in trouble. For me, it's a red card all day.
"He knows what he's done. I don't think he's gone in to intentionally hurt Jack.
"But he knows himself he's made a mistake and for me, it's a red card all day long."
Former Celtic defender Charlie Mulgrew agreed that Trusty was fortunate to stay on the park.
He said: "I think the official line when you look at the rules is excessive force. He's not used any excessive force.
"But I would argue that does there need to be excessive force when it's near the face?
"He can seriously hurt Butland by catching him in the eye. I think that's a sending off. I don't agree with that one.
"I think if anybody watches that game back and being completely honest, if that's your team, you think that should have been a sending off.
"It's so stupid from Trusty. I don't know why he's taken the chance. It's almost like an intrusive thought has come over him and when you see it back, Butland's got his hands on the ball and he thinks 'I'm going to stick my leg out here' and he realises straight away he's made a mistake.
"He's lucky."