The mega Celtic vs Rangers ref and VAR calls under the microscope as Auston Trusty called out
There was no shortage of big decisions at Hampden - and our expert gives his verdict on the decisions
Nick Walsh had to deal with huge controversy during a titanic encounter at Hampden.
The official was at the centre of major moments including a red card, a decision not to award one and a momentous penalty shout.
Walsh faced a relatively simple choice in the eyes of most observers when it came to the ordering-off of Thelo Aasgaard in the opening period.
However, before the opening 45 minutes were done, there was a decision not to red card Celtic’s Auston Trusty which sparked a huge chat.
The award of a penalty kick to Rangers for Anthony Ralston’s handball of a Djeidi Gassama shot in the closing stages of normal time was also a massive talking point.
Record Sport’s resident ref Des Roache gave his insight into the key events through the battle at the National Stadium.
Offside Celtic goal
The first major call of the semi-final was when Maeda was shown to be millimetres offside prior to the ball landing in the Rangers net. The Japanese had a foot the wrong side of the VAR line when Nygren nudged McGregor’s quick free-kick into the Swede. However, the pictures and the lines showed that, after a delay to study the images, the footage made the call and our resident ref had a clear opinion.
ROACHE VERDICT: “Extremely tight. First view with the naked eye was unclear, but we have to trust the technology and they called it correct.”
Aasgaard red card
Aasgaard saw red for a high challenge on Ralston. The Norwegian international flicked the ball into the air and was late to reach it as the Celtic full-back got there first. The result was a rake of the studs down the upper thigh of the Parkhead ace and a painful one. It was an instant call from Walsh and that has been viewed as 100 per cent the correct shout
ROACHE VERDICT: “Red Card correct. Completely unintentional by the player, but that was Serious Foul Play. No complaints with it”
Trusty escapes sending off
The Rangers players were furious after Trusty flicked out a foot as Butland gathered the ball at his feet. The American was taking a chance and incensed the Ibrox stars. Walsh opted for a yellow card and VAR backed him up.
ROACHE VERDICT: “Fortunate for Trusty. Needless to challenge for that. Caution was correct. It was reckless and dangerous. No speed, force, brutality or intent which is the criteria for Serious Foul Play. Very silly and needless. On another day and with another ref, it could have been a red. I’d not have any disagreement with a red card.”
Rangers penalty
Walsh pointed to the spot after the ball struck the elbow of Ralston as he fell in an attempt to block a Gassama shot. VAR backed up the on-field call from the referee with the spot-kick sunk by Tavernier to take the match into extra-time. There was also no second yellow card flashed to the Celtic defender.
ROACHE VERDICT: “Ralston was unfortunate at the penalty. I always feel that a penalty should only be awarded if the handball is deliberate, even if an arm is out. My feeling is that he was doing everything he could to avoid it. He wasn’t trying to make himself bigger and could have hurt himself. Nonetheless, I can understand the award of the penalty. In terms of a second yellow card and many people clamouring for one to be flashed, I feel that would have been unjust for the reasons explained.”