O'Neill dismay over Trusty but hopeful on signings

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.

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.

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.

Hearts then equalised to earn a draw that maintained their six-point lead over the defending champions in the Scottish Premiership.

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.

Celtic said they “will be ensuring further discussions with the SFA” as they “seek to understand the rationale for this and other decisions”.

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”.

“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.

“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.”

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.

“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.

“I think we can do something, the days are pressing but I’m hopeful. I’m reasonably confident we can do it.

“If we get through in the Europa League there are at least a couple of games, and you need a proper squad for that.

“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.”

Celtic face Utrecht at home in the Europa League knowing a win would seal a place in the knockout phase.

Celtic have eight points and are 24th in the table, the last play-off berth, and play 34th-place Utrecht in their final match.

A draw would not be enough to progress if Ludogorets, Feyernood and Basel win, while Steaua Bucharest and Go Ahead Eagles could also finish above Celtic if O’Neill’s side draw and they earn handsome victories.

If Celtic lose, Ludogorets would just need a draw to leapfrog Celtic because of their superior goal difference.

“We’ve put ourselves in this position. We have to win, it’s as simple as that,” said O’Neill, who confirmed Kelechi Iheanacho trained on Wednesday and is available for selection.

“If we do, then we get through – but it’s not as easy as that. Despite their recent record, these boys can play. I’ve had a look at them.

“They are a very decent side who come here with nothing to concern themselves – just coming to enjoy themselves, and that’s dangerous.

“It would be nice to get through to a knockout stage. The more European matches you play, you learn something.”

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