Auston Trusty fires back in Rangers furore as Celtic defender tells Jack Butland ‘it was just a tap’

Auston Trusty fires back in Rangers furore as Celtic defender tells Jack Butland ‘it was just a tap’

Auston Trusty Downplays Butland Head-Kick Controversy as ‘Overblown’

Auston Trusty has insisted that the controversial clash with Jack Butland during last weekend’s Old Firm semi-final has been exaggerated, describing it as nothing more than a “tap on the head.”

The Celtic defender caught the Rangers goalkeeper with his boot during his side’s 3–1 victory over their city rivals — a result that secured a place in the Premier Sports Cup final.

The incident, however, has dominated debate throughout the week, with Danny Rohl adamant that Trusty should have been sent off, while Martin O’Neill admitted the American was “lucky” to escape with only a yellow card.

Butland himself has since spoken out, warning that allowing such incidents to go unpunished could set a dangerous “precedent.”

Trusty: “It Was Just a Tap”

Speaking at his post-match press conference, Trusty dismissed suggestions that the challenge was reckless.

“I tried to get the ball. The ref gave a yellow, VAR checked it, and then it was just about getting on with it. I haven’t really thought too much about it,” he said.

“It’s probably been blown out of proportion. At the end of the day, we were the better side from the first half into the second half — that’s what really matters.”

When asked if he feared the card could have been red, the 25-year-old added:

“I tapped him. I didn’t boot him in the head, and I didn’t mean it. You could see that from my reaction — it wasn’t malicious. I apologised straight away. No one means to kick someone in the head. It was a tap, that’s all it was.”

Trusty also reflected on the heightened emotions of the Old Firm rivalry, acknowledging that incidents like these often draw disproportionate scrutiny.

“I think the reaction is just what comes with Rangers vs Celtic. No matter which side wins, the other is always going to have something to say. That’s football in this country — you can’t really escape it.”

Butland: “It Sets a Dangerous Precedent”

Earlier in the day, Jack Butland offered his perspective, agreeing there was no malice in the challenge but arguing that it still warranted a red card.

“At the time, I thought it was late. Was there a massive amount of malice? Not necessarily,” he said.

“But as a keeper, when you put yourself in a position to be brave and go for the ball, you’d like to think you’re protected. Seeing it back, it was later than I thought in real time — a difficult one to accept.”

The Rangers No.1 went on to express concern about the message it sends going forward.

“It’s disappointing if that’s the precedent now. If a similar situation happens again — regardless of who’s involved — you’d hope for consistency. There were conversations after the game, and from a refereeing standpoint, it’s a result that’s tough to accept.”

“You expect physicality in these games, but late or clumsy challenges like that are different. I think the club will speak more on it, just to seek clarity. I probably share the views of most people on the matter.”

With both camps holding firm in their views, the flashpoint has added another layer of controversy to an already heated Glasgow rivalry — one that shows no signs of cooling anytime soon.