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Interim manager Martin O’Neill is “disappointed” the Scottish FA fast-track tribunal rejected Celtic’s appeal against Auston Trusty’s red card against Heart of Midlothian.<\/b><\/p>\n
The United States centre-half brought down Hearts striker Pierre Landry Kabore on Sunday and was initially shown a yellow card by referee Steven McLean.<\/p>\n
The video assistant referee advised an on-field review and McLean deemed Trusty had denied a goalscoring opportunity, so upgraded the yellow card to red.<\/p>\n
Hearts then equalised to earn a draw that maintained their six-point lead over the defending champions in the Scottish Premiership.<\/p>\n
The decision of the officials was backed by the SFA’s fast-track tribunal on Tuesday, and Trusty will be suspended for this weekend’s game against Falkirk.<\/p>\n
Celtic said they “will be ensuring further discussions with the SFA” as they “seek to understand the rationale for this and other decisions”.<\/p>\n
O’Neill, who insisted after the game he “did not see” how it could be a red card, said on Wednesday that “it was nice to get the backing of a lot of referees who’ve refereed big, big matches when they were interviewed afterwards”.<\/p>\n
“I never had a problem with it in my first spell here 25 years ago – I just expected no decisions to come our way!” joked the 73-year-old when asked about the standard of refereeing in Scotland.<\/p>\n
“I have a lot of paranoia about me. I’m seeing a shrink at the moment it. I’m perfectly all right… but he’s not.”<\/p>\n
O’Neill, in interim charge for a second period this season, conceded that Celtic “obviously need to strengthen the squad” before the winter transfer window closes.<\/p>\n
“It’s what we are trying to do. Whether we have anyone in before the weekend I don’t know, but we are making strenuous efforts,” he added.<\/p>\n
“I think we can do something, the days are pressing but I’m hopeful. I’m reasonably confident we can do it.<\/p>\n
“If we get through in the Europa League there are at least a couple of games, and you need a proper squad for that.<\/p>\n
“We’re trying to get as much quality as possible. Lots of names have been put forward – lots of people I’ve taken an interest in, one or two have been thwarted. But we’re working on it.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n