Former Rangers midfielder Andy Halliday was left baffled as Celtic defender Austin Trusty was not dismissed by referee Nick Walsh for a kick at the head of Rangers keeper Jack Butland in today’s Old Firm derby at Hampden.
With the Hoops 1-0 up and pushing for a second goal in injury time at the end of the first half, the Rangers goalkeeper latched onto a loose ball in his box, gathering with both hands before the American defender petulantly kicked out at his head.
A free kick and yellow card were given, but with Thelo Aasgaard dismissed earlier for a thigh-high challenge on Celtic’s Anthony Ralston, the inconsistent decision left onlookers baffled.
One such viewer was Halliday, who was taking part in a live watch-along for Open Goal alongside former Celtic winger Paul Slane.
Halliday reacted immediately to the challenge, leaping from his seat and shouting: “That’s a red! That’s a red card! He’s kicked him right in the head!
“How’s he staying on? How’s that no the same?
“Explain that to me! It’s the exact same logic!”
Slane attempted to calm the reaction: “It’s not the same. I mean it looks bad but… it’s just one of them.
“He’s went for the ball… kind of.”
Halliday fired back: “Went for the ball? Come on.
“He’s got two eyes in his head. The keeper’s got both hands on the ball and he’s booted him right on the napper.
“If Aasgaard’s is a red – and I’ve no complaints – then that’s a red. Every day of the week.”
Slane admitted even he would have wanted a red had the incident been reversed: “I’ll be honest, if that was up the other end I’d be screaming for a red.
“ But it’s Old Firm, it’s chaos, referees just guess sometimes.”
Halliday summed up the frustration felt across the Rangers support: “If we’re talking about consistency – that’s the problem.
“Rangers get a straight red for a high boot. But then that happens and it’s a yellow?
“That’s the bit fans are sick of. It’s one rule for one, one for the other. That’s the anger.”
Rangers are expected to raise the incident through official channels, though head coach Danny Röhl refused to publicly criticise the referee post-match, insisting his priority is performance and progression.
Supporters and former players, however, appear increasingly aligned on one point: the debate over consistency in Old Firm officiating is not going away.