Ally McCoist and Andy Halliday slam the Rangers vs Celtic officials dispute with a powerful message.

Andy Halliday blasts Nick Walsh’s decision not to send off Auston Trusty in Celtic versus Rangers clash.

Andy Halliday, a former Rangers player, has launched a scathing attack on referee Nick Walsh and VAR after Auston Trusty escaped a red card during Celtic’s 3-1 win over Rangers in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final at Hampden.

The incident occurred late in the first half, when Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland collected a stray ball within his own box. Celtic defender Auston Trusty challenged for it but looked to leave his leg in, striking Butland in the head with his boot. Despite the collision, Walsh chose to show only a yellow card, infuriating Halliday and other experts, notably Ally McCoist, who branded the call as one of the worst he had seen in years.

Speaking on talkSPORT Breakfast, McCoist stated:

“Remarkably, the referee did not dismiss the Celtic center-back for deliberately kicking the Rangers goalkeeper in the head. It was one of the worst judgments I’ve seen in a long time, and the VAR didn’t send him off either.

The incident fueled an already heated match, which saw Rangers reduced to ten men earlier in the half after Thelo Aasgaard was sent off for a dangerous challenge on Anthony Ralston. Celtic led 1-0 at halftime, but the Trusty incident sparked heated debate among fans and experts.

Halliday, who was watching the action live on Open Goal’s watchalong feed, couldn’t contain his rage. In real time, the Motherwell player described the referee’s decision as “f***ing laughable,” believing that Trusty should have been sent off.

“Red card all day long,” Halliday lamented. “He kicked him in the head while Butland already had the ball in his hands. That is embarrassing: Scottish football, man. That’s crazy.”

Halliday continued his diatribe, criticizing the lack of consistency in officiating and accusing officials of making critical judgments incorrectly in huge games:

“Butland has both hands on the ball; Trusty kicks him in the head, and it’s only a yellow? That’s ridiculous. Watch people try to defend that; it’s not a joke.”

While Halliday did not play for Motherwell in their semi-final defeat to St Mirren earlier this weekend, he made his presence felt online by vehemently defending his former team.

Rangers battled back with ten men after Aasgaard’s dismissal, finally equalizing through a James Tavernier penalty, but Celtic proved too strong in extra time, with Callum McGregor and Callum Osmand securing a 3-1 victory and a place in the Premier Sports Cup final.

Regardless of the outcome, the attention following the match has remained squarely on the refereeing choices, particularly the Trusty challenge, which continues to divide fans, analysts, and former players across Scotland.