Trusty: I was used to help Gers cope

Auston says he 'tapped' keeper

- BY FRASER MACKIE

AUSTON TRUSTY reckons Rangers have tried to “use me” as a convenient target for their Hampden hurt.

And the American is adamant he only “tapped” keeper Jack Butland on the head with his boot as the Premier Sports Cup semifinal row rumbled on.

Trusty was the subject of a furious reaction from Ibrox bosses, who complained to SFA refs’ chief Willie Collum after he'd only seen a yellow card in first-half injury time six days ago.

Gers skipper James Tavernier expressed his disbelief at Nick Walsh not sending him off while boss Danny Rohl dubbed the decision “difficult to understand”.

The controversy has rumbled on for days, leaving Trusty bemused as the 27-year-old said: “Both sides, whether they win or lose, try to find a way to cope with it.

"In this case, I think they maybe try to use me as a way to try to cope with it on their end. That's just the name of the game, that's just how it is.

It's just a rivalry.

"There is definitely nothing like this in the States! But that's the beauty of the game.

"The ref gave me a yellow card and VAR checked it. It was still a yellow card. Fair enough.

"I moved on and the game moved on.