The Scottish Football Association have confirmed they will hold a fast-track hearing today, Tuesday 24 February, after Celtic lodged an appeal against the red card shown to Auston Trusty in Sunday’s Premiership clash with Hibernian.
3DTJ40C Celtic’s Auston Trusty is sent off during the William Hill Premiership match at Celtic Park, Glasgow. Picture date: Sunday February 22, 2026.
The club have argued the decision amounted to a “wrongful dismissal” and will be hoping for an outcome that clears the defender in time for a crucial run of fixtures, including next week’s league trip to Ibrox.
Trusty was sent off at 1–1 after an incident at a corner involving Hibs midfielder Jamie McGrath, with the referee judging the centre-back to have committed violent conduct as the pair jostled in the box. The dismissal proved pivotal, with Celtic going on to lose the match.
If the red card is upheld, the 27-year-old United States international faces a three-match suspension. Violent conduct carries an automatic two-game ban, with an additional match added because Trusty has already been sent off in the competition this season. That would rule him out of league fixtures away to Rangers and Aberdeen, as well as a home match against Motherwell.
Regardless of the outcome of the appeal, Trusty would still be available for Celtic’s Scottish Cup tie at Ibrox on 8 March, as the suspension would apply only to league matches.
While Celtic will make their case today, it would come as a surprise to many if the SFA overturn the decision, given the nature of the incident and the consistency with which violent conduct is usually punished under the fast-track system.
