Debate Over Celtic VAR Calls: Was Trusty Red Legit or Wrong?

Record Sport's resident referee reviews controversial VAR decisions in Celtic-Rangers match

Apr. 11, 2026 at 1:38pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a Scottish Premiership football match, with players and the field of play broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and shape, conveying the controversy and debate surrounding the VAR decisions.The fractured, contested VAR calls in a heated Scottish Premiership match expose the need for greater consistency and transparency in the use of video technology.Cleveland Today

Celtic's VAR calls were 'entirely' wrong, as the decision to send off Mikey Moore for Rangers was branded 'unfathomable', according to Record Sport's resident referee, Des Roache. Roache reviewed the controversial calls from Sunday's Premiership matches, highlighting the mistakes made by VAR, including failing to recommend a red card for Auston Trusty and not awarding Celtic a penalty when Liam Scales was brought down.

Why it matters

The controversy surrounding these VAR calls has sparked debate among fans and experts, with many questioning the consistency and fairness of the technology's use in Scottish football. The calls have led to calls for further scrutiny and reform of VAR to improve the accuracy and transparency of decisions.

The details

According to Roache, VAR should have recommended a red card for Auston Trusty, but failed to award Celtic a penalty when Liam Scales was brought down by Jack Iredale. The referee also expressed confusion over the decision not to award a free-kick to Rangers after Mikey Moore was brought down by Cammy Kerr.

  • On Sunday, controversial VAR calls were made during the Celtic-Rangers Premiership match.

The players

Des Roache

Record Sport's resident referee who reviewed the controversial VAR calls.

Auston Trusty

A Celtic player who Roache said should have received a red card, but VAR failed to recommend.

Liam Scales

A Celtic player who was brought down in the box, but VAR did not award a penalty.

Mikey Moore

A Rangers player who was sent off, a decision Roache called 'unfathomable'.

Cammy Kerr

A Celtic player involved in the incident where VAR did not award a free-kick to Rangers.

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What they’re saying

“VAR should have recommended a red card for Auston Trusty, but failed to award Celtic a penalty when Liam Scales was brought down by Jack Iredale.”

— Des Roache, Record Sport's resident referee

“The decision to send off Mikey Moore for Rangers was branded 'unfathomable'.”

— Des Roache, Record Sport's resident referee

The takeaway

The controversy surrounding these VAR calls has led to calls for further scrutiny and reform of VAR technology in Scottish football to improve the accuracy and transparency of decisions and restore confidence in the system.