Celtic to appeal Trusty red as McGregor commits
Celtic will appeal Auston Trusty’s red after VAR upgraded a yellow for DOGSO in the 2-2 draw at Hearts. Martin O’Neill called it ‘no more a red card than a blue card’ as Braga’s late goal denied a win.
Ex-ref Des Roache says VAR John Beaton wrongly intervened in Auston Trusty’s dismissal at Hearts, arguing DOGSO was not ‘obvious’ with distance, direction and cover, and Steven McLean’s yellow should have stood.
Utrecht arrive at Celtic Park on a five-game losing run, with Ron Jans under fire but refusing to quit. A win would seal Celtic’s Europa League progression. Ex-Celt Vasilis Barkas set for Glasgow return.
Celtic plan an accelerated move for a centre-back after Trusty’s red, with a goalkeeper and attacking midfielder or winger also targeted. Stephen Welsh could return to Motherwell if reinforcements arrive.
Debutant Tomas Cvancara claims the title race is open after a lively Tynecastle bow, assisting Yang Hyun-jun. On loan from Monchengladbach, he is ineligible v Utrecht and targets his first goal against Falkirk.
Shin Yamada joins Preussen Munster on loan after 12 Celtic games without a goal. Fellow signing Hayato Inamura also departed. Celtic add Julian Araujo and Tomas Cvancara and target further recruits.
Recalls Celtic’s 1988 European Cup exit to Werder Bremen, losing 0-1 at home then drawing 0-0 away after beating Honved. Highlights erratic form that season before winning the 1989 Scottish Cup final.
Hearts stay six clear after 2-2 v Celtic, with Rangers four back. Opta tip Hearts to lead pre-split, though bookmakers keep Celtic favourites. O’Neill’s side face Falkirk, Aberdeen, Livingston, Kilmarnock, Hibs next.
Wilfried Nancy, sacked after two wins in eight at Celtic, is reportedly offered to Saint-Étienne. Callum McGregor says changes under Nancy were ‘too much, too soon’ and urges focus on positives.
Celtic TV shows Derek McInnes angrily confronting the away bench after Benjamin Nygren’s free-kick made it 1-0 in the 2-2 draw at Tynecastle, with Shaun Maloney trying to defuse the flashpoint.
Ex-Celtic winger Sead Haksabanovic, sold to Malmö for £1.75m, has a surprise bid from a South Korean club and is weighing options. He scored five for Celtic before moves to Stoke and Malmö.
Callum McGregor rejects links to a Saudi reunion with Brendan Rodgers, insisting he is staying at Celtic and is ‘even more determined’ to fight for success after the 2-2 draw at Hearts.
