Qudus SalihuReferee Nick Walsh has been thrust back into the spotlight following the intense fallout from the recent Celtic vs. Rangers Cup Semi-Final, which Celtic won 3-1 in extra time. The controversy hinges on key decisions, but it is Walsh’s alleged explanation—rather than a formal statement—that has caused widespread reaction across the fanbase.
The most explosive incident involved Celtic defender Auston Trusty’s challenge on Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland, where Trusty’s boot made contact with the keeper’s head. While Rangers players felt a red card was mandatory, Walsh reportedly justified his yellow card decision by stressing the lack of excessive force used in the challenge.
This justification is the statement that has allegedly “angered the entire fans”—specifically the Rangers supporters—who contest that intent to make dangerous contact supersedes the measured force applied. The belief among many Rangers followers is that this reasoning is weak and skewed, effectively letting a Celtic player off the hook.
While the Trusty decision dominated the narrative, controversy also circulated around a penalty awarded against Celtic’s Anthony Ralston for handball. Celtic supporters felt this decision was harsh given the defender’s reaction while falling. This penalty allowed Rangers to draw level, leading to claims from the Celtic side that they were unfairly disadvantaged earlier in the game.
Silence Followed by Division
Walsh’s brief breakdown of the rules to the Rangers captain has been interpreted by many as a definitive, yet unsatisfying, closure on the matter. Instead of calming the waters, the focus on ‘force’ has solidified the view among one faction of fans that the officiating was profoundly biased against them, leaving the post-match discourse just as heated as the match itself.
Qudus Salihu
Mustapha Sheidu
