Unhappy John McGinn flags Rangers example after Auston Trusty controversy in Celtic loss
Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn has earmarked a Rangers example when discussing Auston Trusty’s recent red card.
The Celtic defender was sent off in the 74th minute of the 2-1 loss against Hibs on Sunday, with Kai Andrews netting the winner for the visitors just under 15 minutes later.
The weekend’s results leave Rangers sitting second in the Scottish Premiership, four points behind league leaders Hearts, and two points above rivals Celtic.
Danny Rohl’s side welcome their Glasgow nemesis to Ibrox this weekend, beginning a period that could define the season for either side, with a subsequent Scottish Cup quarter-final bout taking place a week later.
Trusty will be available for the cup tie, but will be suspended for this weekend’s league clash that could knock Celtic out of the title race.
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John McGinn unhappy with Auston Trusty red card decision
Trusty was sent to the stands with the scores level at Parkhead on Sunday, following an incident with Hibs’ Jamie McGrath as the pair wrestled at a corner.
Celtic would appeal the decision, though this would soon be rejected.
Speaking on The Scottish Football Social Club, former Hibs man and current Aston Villa midfielder McGinn said: “If that’s going to be a red card, then you are going to have the microscope out for every single corner.”
“Granted it’s stupid, but if I am marking someone and holding someone at a corner, I am expecting to get my arm punched,” added McGinn.
To emphasise his point, the 31-year-old would point out what he believes to have been a similar situation that took place in Rangers 2-2 draw with Livingston.
“It happens all the time,” said McGinn. “I think even Youssef Chermiti – not with the same force – but he was getting the ball back yesterday and did something similar.
“Not as aggressive as Trusty, but that can’t be a red card. It does change the flow of the game. I’m not sure that Celtic would have had enough to go and win 2-1, but it’s a big, big call, and an important call,” McGinn concluded.
With the derby week tensions arising, Rangers welcome Celtic to Ibrox on Sunday for what could be a season defining clash for both sides.
Rangers have a huge chance to end Celtic’s season
The coming weeks will undoubtedly have a huge impact on the outcome of either sides season.
For Rangers, they have a huge chance to condemn Celtic to their first trophyless season since the 2020-21 term.
In the league, they could all-but knock their rivals out of the ongoing race for the title, before a cup win would put the final nail in the coffin of what has been a dismal season at Parkhead.
Before then, Celtic travel to South Germany, where they face VfB Stuttgart in the second leg of their Europa League round of 16 play-off tie.
While key players will likely be rested with Celtic trailing 4-1 on aggregate, Rangers will be hoping that Sebastian Hoeness’ side are able to further strip their visitors of confidence ahead of successive trips to Ibrox.
Rangers have a big chance to make a huge mark before the split, starting with two humongous outings against their rivals.
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