Des Roache reckons Auston Trusty had a brass neck after hitting the deck during a largely forgotten second half incident
17:42, 08 Mar 2026Updated 19:25, 08 Mar 2026
Referee Don Robertson speaks to VAR before ruling out the goal by Daizen Maeda for an offside by Liam Scales in the build up(Image: SNS Group)
‘He should be better than that.”
That was the straightforward verdict from former Grade One whistler Des Roache after Auston Trusty hit the deck in a largely forgotten Rangers vs Celtic flashpoint.
The attritional Scottish Cup clash will remembered mostly for the worrying pitch invasion chaos that followed Tomas Cvancara’s winning penalty. Prior to that point though it had been a game referee Don Robertson will be happy with as our man Roache reckons he managed it well.
There weren’t too many controversial incidents – even the two disallowed goals were overshadowed by what came later – but there was one bit of play from Trusty that caught our man Roache’s attention.
Here’s what Roache exclusively told us about four key incidents during our live coverage of the Scottish Cup clash.
Trusty handball shout
There was a big call with just six minutes on the clock as Youssef Chermiti’s strike appeared to hit the arm of Auston Trusty. Replays showed the arm it made contact with was tucked into his body, so referee Don Robertson gave nothing and after a short VAR review, Andrew Dallas at Clydesdale House elected not to intervene.
Official decision: No handball, no penalty
Des Roache’s verdict: “No penalty. Trusty tries to tuck his arm away. Proximity is key and that’s not deliberate. Great decision from Don who was so close and able to call it correctly.”
Maeda goal disallowed
The packed-out away end erupted when Luke McCowan’s cross was flicked on by Liam Scales and Daizen Maeda dived in at the back post to head it into the back of the net. A VAR review though deemed that Scales was in an offside position when the cross came in. Some on social media argued the angle presented on Premier Sports was inconclusive, but the goal was overturned.
Celtic see a goal vs Rangers chopped off by VAR
Official decision: Offside, goal disallowed
Des Roache’s verdict: “The offside was correctly called for the chalked-off goal. Scales came back from an offside position and impacted the game with the knock-on header. Good call from Andrew Dallas on VAR.”
Chermiti and Trusty off the ball incident
Shortly before the hour mark, ref Robertson was called into action to defuse a coming together after Youssef Chermiti and Auston Trusty got into it off the ball. Chermiti, in an attempt to retrieve the ball and restart play, tried to slap it out of Trusty’s arms but missed and made contact with the defender’s leg. Trusty then went to ground, but nothing was given and play restarted after some pushing and shoving.
Official decision: Nothing given, play resumed
Des Roache’s verdict: “There was nothing in that coming together and the aftermath was just handbags. Trusty should be better than that.”
Fernandez disallowed goal
It was Rangers’ turn to have the ball in the net during extra-time, but replays showed not one but two handballs from the defender – the most blatant coming when his outstretched arm knocked it into the net. No surprises here after a short VAR review.
Official decision: Handball, goal disallowed
Des Roache says: “That is a clear handball. Factual. Another good decision from the referee team. Alert and aware. Correct again.”
Des Roache’s full-time verdict
Overall Roache was impressed with how ref Don Robertson handled the game. The whistler had a few potential flashpoints to handle but overall it was a low-key refereeing performance – and in Roache’s eyes, it was a good one.
Des Roache says: “Don Robertson and his team called all major decisions correctly and prove why he is currently our best referee. Following on from John Beaton last week at the same fixture, this has been a good seven days for Scottish refereeing.”