Former top SFA whistler Des Roache has spoken out on the decision which has sparked huge controversy

18:49, 26 Jan 2026Updated 20:46, 26 Jan 2026

Celtic have been told John Beaton had no right to get involved in Auston Trusty‘s sending off at Tynecastle on Sunday by a former top SFA ref.

The Hoops drew 2-2 in the fiery Gorgie clash but felt they were cost all three points by a controversial red card to the American. He was penalised for bringing down Pierre Landry Kabore with Celtic leading 2-1 going into the final 15 minutes – and while on-field ref Steven McLean initially felt a yellow card would suffice, John Beaton in the VAR room suggested a pitch-side review.

McLean then concurred with Beaton’s view it was worthy of more and sent off Trusty – with Hearts going on to clinch a priceless point through Claudio Braga’s late equaliser.

Martin O’Neill vented his fury at the decision after the match and Celtic have today confirmed an appeal against the decision. Former ref Roache, speaking exclusively on tonight’s Hotline Live, believes they have a case.

Roache reckons it wasn’t an obvious goalscoring opportunity and the VAR team should not have got involved. And he reckons McLean’s initial decision was correct.

He told Keith Jackson and Craig Swan on tonight’s show: “My view is it shouldn’t have been a red card, it’s a yellow card.

“When you’re looking at denial of a goalscoring opportunity, you’ve got to look at the criteria that is set. The first one is distance to goal. This was 25-30 yards out.

“Where is his general direction of play? He’s going away from goal, he’s not going towards goal.

“What is the likelihood of control? He’s played the ball 10-12 yards ahead of him.

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“You also have to consider the number of defenders and the position of them.

“I think McLean called it correct at the time. I’ve just seen a comment about how it’s a last man red card – there’s no such thing. It’s about denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity.

“The bit I take my belief from is the word ‘obvious’. Is it an obvious goalscoring opportunity. It’s not obvious.

“He may have a chance, he may not. It’s not obvious. What I think is entirely wrong with it is John Beaton has decided to get involved and re-referee that situation, and overturn Steven McLean. It’s a subjective opinion. Steven’s seen it and decided it’s a yellow card, which I’m fine with, and then John Beaton’s got involved to overturn it.

“That’s not what VAR is there for. It’s there for clear and obvious errors – that isn’t obvious. It isn’t an obvious opportunity, and it isn’t an obvious error. The fact we’re still talking about it 24 hours later shows you it’s not clear. John Beaton had no reason to get involved with that decision.”