MARTIN O’NEILL saw red after Celtic’s second sending-off in three days.
The Hoops’ interim manager watched Reo Hatate get his marching orders in the 2-2 Europa League draw with Bologna in Italy on Thursday evening.
And it was Auston Trusty’s turn to be banished in another four-goal stalemate, this time against Hearts at Tynecastle yesterday.
The flashpoint in Edinburgh arrived in the 74th minute when the USA international centre-back tangled with Landry Kbore who went to ground quickly and dramatically.
Referee Steven McLean deemed it a bookable offence until John Beaton, at the VAR controls, instructed his colleague to review the incident on the touchline screens. It took a mere glance from the match official before he returned to the pitch, rescinded the yellow card and flashed a red.
THE LONG WALK…Auston Trusty heads for the dressing room as Martin O’Neill plots his next move.
The champions were leading 2-1 at that stage with goals from Benjamin Nygren and Yang Hyun-jun with Stuart Findlay netting for the hosts.
After the dismissal of Trusty, Claudio Braga levelled in the 87th minute of an incident-laden encounter that also saw eight minutes of stoppage-time.
Looking back at the moment that changed the course of the game and ultimately cost the Hoops two points, O’Neill said: “I think the sending off had a major effect, certainly in the last 20 minutes.
“I’ve seen it back and it’s not a red card at all.
“A couple of things – first of all, the ball’s not going directly towards goal so the player will have to come round and manoeuvre it to try and get a shot off.
“And the second thing is, we’ve got cover.”
The Irishman was referring to Dane Murray who was racing into a position behind his team-mate. Unfortunately, the game officials didn’t agree.
O’Neill, speaking to Celtic TV, continued: “It was a tough game. We took the lead early, which was great, but we knew that Hearts would come roaring back.
“They scored just after half-time which gets the crowd up for the game and then we scored a magnificent second goal.
“The players are showing a great resolve and a great determination. It’s been a terrific effort by the team, I couldn’t commend them any more and we saw it through.”
Defiantly, the manager added: “We’re still in this fight.”
The champions remain six points behind the Edinburgh club and play Falkirk at Parkhead on Sunday after their Europa League match against Utrecht in Glasgow on Thursday night.
TEN-MAN CHAMPS IN CAPITAL STALEMATE
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