AUSTON VILLAIN

Celt claims Rangers are using him as scapegoat to deflect their failings

- BY FRASER MACKIE

CELTIC defender Auston Trusty reckons Rangers have tried to "use" him as a convenient target for their Hampden hurt.

And he insists 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, who complained to SFA refs' chief Willie Collum after he escaped with a yellow card in first-half injury time six days ago.

Gers skipper James Tavernier expressed his disbelief at Nick Walsh not sending him 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.