(Credit: Imago)

Ciaran Morrison

Mon 3 November 2025 11:10, UK

Rangers’ Glasgow derby clash with Celtic could have swayed in their favour if they had got the benefit of one major decision.

Celtic beat Rangers 3-1 to progress to the Scottish League Cup final, where they will play St Mirren at Hampden Park in December.

Following a 0-0 draw between Celtic and Rangers at Ibrox in the Scottish Premiership earlier this season, the Gers have failed to win either meeting with their rivals.

New Rangers manager Danny Rohl was experiencing his first derby encounter, and Ally McCoist believes the result could have been different had a decision gone in the German’s favour.

Auston Trusty should have seen red

Thelo Aasgaard was sent off for Rangers in the first half, but the Gers have been left fuming at referee Nick Walsh’s decision not to send off Auston Trusty for a challenge on Jack Butland.

Speaking to talkSPORT, [3 November], club legend McCoist was left raging at Walsh’ decision to only give Trusty a yellow card.

“Rangers were miles better after the sending off which, you know, was a sending off. I don’t think the lad meant it, but I thought it was a poor tackle and probably was the right decision the sending off,” McCoist said.

“And then, remarkably, the referee did not send off the Celtic centre half for deliberately kicking the Rangers goalkeeper in the head. So, it was one of the worst decisions I’ve seen in a long time. VAR doesn’t send them off either.

“And then the game (went back and forth) and Rangers get the penalty late on. There was a bit of debate about that, which I thought was a penalty. There’s a surprise. But it was a great game. I mean, a really good game.”

James Tavernier slammed the consistency of Walsh, also believing that Trusty should have been sent off.

Trusty incident a pivotal moment

With Celtic a goal up and with a player advantage, Trusty being sent off would have evened up the contest.

Cameron Carter-Vickers’ absence means Martin O’Neill would have had to have turned to 22-year-old Dane Murray for his first Glasgow derby appearance.

Rangers had a strong second half display, with Tavernier equalising from the penalty spot, but Celtic’s extra man proved the difference in extra-time.