The big Celtic vs Rangers questions answered by the Jury as ref and VAR analysed and Martin O'Neill warned
It was an action packed weekend at Hampden as the Premier Sports Cup semi finals took centre stage
Three big decisions changed the game at Hampden. Was it a red card for Aasgaard, should Trusty also have been sent packing and was ref Nick Walsh right to give Rangers a penalty?
KEITH JACKSON: Thelo Aasgaard had to go even though he didn’t mean it. Auston Trusty should probably have gone too for sheer stupidity if nothing else. And Anthony Ralston’s elbow blocked Gassama’s goal bound shot so the officials had no option.
CRAIG SWAN: Aasgaard was a clear red card. Trusty got away with one and could have gone, too. That was needless. Ralston was unlucky. But he handled a ball that was going towards goal.
SCOTT BURNS: I thought it was a red card for Aasgard but I also think Trusty should have followed him up the tunnel. There was no need for the Celtic defender to make contact with Jack Butland. It is a harsh penalty but the official will argue it was a handball. VAR was never going to intervene because it wasn't a clear and obvious error.
GAVIN BERRY: Two out of three for Nick Walsh. No malice in Aasgaard’s challenge but the whistler still had no option. Anthony Ralston was unfortunate to be penalised for handball but it was the right call. But failing to send off Auston Trusty was the big one - the defender should have been red carded for violent conduct for his kick at Jack Butland.
Should Martin O'Neill stay in position now that he's led Celtic to the first final of the season?
KEITH : It’ll be a wrench for him to step aside now but Celtic can’t allow sentimentality to cloud their thinking. If they have an ideal candidate in mind then they ought to appoint him as quickly as possible.
CRAIG: No. The arrangement is in place. O’Neill was taken back to the club to hold the fort and that situation should not change at this point.
SCOTT: If he wanted to stay then it would look like the obvious solution to remain with Shaun Maloney. O'Neill claimed after the game that it still remains a short-term arrangement. So the chances are unlikely but you never know what the next couple of weeks will bring. Football management is addictive.
GAVIN: No. It’s been a brilliant return to the dug-out but Celtic have to take the emotion out of it. They need a long term appointment and the sooner they do that, the better
How do you fancy St Mirren’s chances in the final?
KEITH: Reasonably strongly. St Mirren don’t get the recognition they deserve but they are more than worthy of a shot at silverware under Stephen Robinson.
They relished the space at Hampden on Saturday and will have more than just a puncher’s chance against Celtic.
CRAIG: St Mirren will give it a go. They have shown they can cause problems for the bigger teams in the country and have no fear with Stephen Robinson, a top-class coach and motivator.
SCOTT: They will clearly be underdogs but that will suit them. You can never write Stephen Robinson's side off. They were brilliant against Motherwell. I know this is a step up, but they will be quietly confident it can be a repeat of 2013.
GAVIN: The last time the Buddies got to the final in 2013 they won it and I wouldn’t bet against a repeat. Stephen Robinson is a shrewdie and deserving of a trophy for his time as a boss in Scotland after falling at the final hurdle before with Motherwell
That’s 10 for the season already for Lawrence Shankland. Will he shatter the 30 goal barrier this season?
KEITH: Right now that looks like a shoo-in. Shankland is the prolific embodiment of all that’s going right at Tynecastle under Derek McInnes. He’s smoking hot, Hearts are on fire and there’s no sign of this blaze going out any time soon..
CRAIG: The striker is leading by example and he has started the season superbly. With others sharing the burden, he is free to display his best, but he's about more than goals.
SCOTT: I don't think it is in any doubt he can. Hearts will definitely finish in the top two or three and will win a lot more games than they will lose. He will get chances and there is no reason why he can't surpass 30! He did it two seasons ago and now he is in a better team.
GAVIN: No - but that’s a good thing for Hearts because it means they aren’t over-reliant on the striker. Derek McInnes has goals all over this exciting Jambos side and Claudio Braga and Pierre Landry Kabore can help ease the burden on Shankland.