Sky Sports Confirm Bad News for Celtic and Martin O’Neill
Celtic and Martin O’Neill have been dealt another blow following their frustrating draw with Hearts at the weekend.
For much of the match, it looked as though Celtic were heading for a vital three points. But the game unravelled dramatically in the final 15 minutes. First, Auston Trusty was shown a red card, and then Hearts struck late through Claudio Braga in the 87th minute to deny O’Neill’s side a crucial victory.
The draw proved costly. Hearts maintained their six-point advantage over Celtic, while Rangers have now moved a couple of points ahead as well. With the season entering its decisive phase and little margin for error remaining, dropped points are becoming increasingly damaging.
Matters have now worsened with confirmation that Trusty will miss Celtic’s next league fixture.
The defender was initially shown a yellow card for his challenge on Pierre Landry Kabore, but VAR intervened and advised the referee to conduct an on-field review. After reassessing the incident, the referee ruled that Trusty had denied a clear goalscoring opportunity and upgraded the booking to a red card.
Sky Sports Confirm Appeal Failure
According to Sky Sports, Celtic’s appeal against Trusty’s dismissal has been rejected following a Scottish FA disciplinary hearing. As a result, the centre-back will be suspended for Sunday’s home clash against Falkirk.
Trusty has arguably been Celtic’s most reliable defender in recent weeks, and his absence will be felt deeply. Losing him at such a critical point in the campaign only adds to the challenges already facing O’Neill.
This latest setback is the last thing Celtic needed as they attempt to claw their way back into contention. Once again, the manager will be forced to adapt, reshuffle, and find solutions under pressure — something he has had to do repeatedly throughout a turbulent season.
Whether Celtic can cope without one of their standout performers may prove pivotal in determining how the remainder of their league campaign unfolds.