VAR CHEEK

O'Neill on Hampden fallout: Whatever excuses Gers make, it wasn't penalty and Trusty WAS lucky to stay on park

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MARTIN O'NEILL has accused Rangers of making excuses on the back of Sunday’s stormy Old Firm thriller.

But Celtic's stand-in manager admitted he agrees with the Ibrox club that Auston Trusty was a lucky Bhoy not to see red at Hampden.

Gers were left fuming at referee Nick Walsh and the VAR officials failing to send the Hoops defender packing during the Premier Sports Cup semifinal for kicking out at keeper Jack Butland’s head.

But O'Neill is also convinced Rangers should not have been given a penalty-kick lifeline after Tony Ralston’s controversial handball.

The fallout over the flashpoints has rumbled on all week and crashed into Celtic's buildup for tonight's Europa League clash with Midtjylland in Denmark.

O'Neill said: "I'm delighted to be here and if you said to me I've got one more win over Rangers, well that's the best news in the world ... for God's sake, take it on.

"Whatever excuses they make, two things...

"I don't think it was a penalty and I think Trusty was lucky to stay on the field, having seen those things back.

"So, that's my points.

"But it's still one of the great fixtures in European football, if not the world. We won.