Jack: Don't drop the bar to late one

Butland fears poor precedent

- BY ANDY NEWPORT

CONCERNED Rangers keeper Jack Butland fears a dangerous precedent has been set by the failure to send off Auston Trusty at Hampden.

The Ibrox outfit are still smarting from last Sunday's Premier Sports Cup semifinal defeat to Celtic when Danny Rohl's 10-man outfit were edged out 3-1 after extra-time.

Gers midfielder Thelo Aasgaard was dismissed for a dangerous tackle on Tony Ralston but club chiefs were incensed when whistler Nick Walsh refused to even up the numbers just before halftime.

Trusty escaped with only a booking after appearing to kick out at Butland's head as the former England goalie dived to gather a loose ball.

Rangers released a statement saying they "remain unsatisfied with the explanation of the referee's decision" following talks with SFA refs' chief Willie Collum.

Now Butland admits he is worried keepers across Scottish football may find themselves similarly put at risk after seeing Walsh fail to crack down on Trusty's controversial actions.

Breaking his silence on the flashpoint, the Gers No.1 said: "At the time I thought it was late.