NafisaCeltic defender Auston Trusty escaped a possible red card against Rangers after connecting with Jack Butland‘s head with an outstretched boot.
The US internationalist was shown a yellow card by referee Nick Walsh after he appeared to flick out and catch the Rangers goalkeeper on the head during the Premier Sports Cup semi-final.
Trusty had been chasing down the ball in the box when Butland slid out to collect. The Celtic defender then flicked his right boot towards Butland and connected with the goalkeeper’s head.
“It could have been a red. I think it’s totally unnecessary.” 👀
Should Auston Trusty also have been sent off in that first half? Our panel think he was “very lucky” to have avoided one 🟥#PremierSportsCup pic.twitter.com/rN53O1uWLD
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) November 2, 2025
Referee Walsh’s on-field decision was supported by VAR, who agreed it was a reckless challenge and worthy of a booking.
For a red card, the incident would have to be deemed as either serious foul play or violent conduct from Trusty.
For serious foul play, any tackle has to endanger the safety of an opponent or use excessive force of brutality.
IFAB rules state: “A tackle or challenge that endangers the safety of an opponent or uses excessive force or brutality must be sanctioned as serious foul play.
“Any player who lunges at an opponent in challenging for the ball from the front, from the side or from behind using one or both legs, with excessive force or endangers the safety of an opponent is guilty of serious foul play.”
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Trusty may have escaped punishment under serious foul play due to the lesser force of his tackle, but there could be an argument made that he endangered the safety of Butland with the connection made with the goalkeeper’s head.
For violent conduct offences, it must be deemed that a player used excessive force or brutality against an opponent when not challenging for the ball, regardless of whether contact is made.
However, crucially, the rules also account for any deliberate strikes to an opponent on the head or face.
The rules read: “Violent conduct is when a player uses or attempts to use excessive force or brutality against an opponent when not challenging for the ball, or against a team-mate, team official, match official, spectator or any other person, regardless of whether contact is made.
“In addition, a player who, when not challenging for the ball, deliberately strikes an opponent or any other person on the head or face with the hand or arm, is guilty of violent conduct unless the force used was negligible.”
Rangers legend Steven Davis said: “For me it is a red. It’s really foolish from the boy. Celtic are in a dream position in the game and he gives the referee the option.
“He actually leaves his foot in there when he could have taken it out.”
Over on BBC Radio Scotland, Billy Dodds weighed in: “That’s crazy when you are a man up and you do that. He is a bit lucky.”
Neil Lennon admitted: “It could have been a red. I think it’s totally unnecessary.
“Jack’s always favourite to get the ball. When you see it from that angle, it’s not smart. There’s no force in it but that’s not the point.
“VAR checked it, they don’t think it’s a red but he is lucky.”
Nafisa