Anthony Ralston feels Thelo Aasgaard lost gamble of tackle that earned red card

Celtic defender Anthony Ralston believes Thelo Aasgaard took a gamble and lost with the tackle that brought the Rangers midfielder a red card in their 3-1 Premier Sports Cup semi-final defeat by the Hoops.

In the 38th minute of an enthralling Old Firm encounter at Hampden Park, Celtic were leading through a Johnny Kenny header when Aasgaard went in high on Ralston, marking the top of his thigh.

Referee Nick Walsh did not hesitate in sending Aasgaard off, leaving Rangers with 10 men for the rest of the game.

And although captain James Tavernier levelled from the spot in the 81st minute to take the match to extra time, goals from Celtic skipper Callum McGregor and substitute Callum Osmand sent them through to the final against St Mirren next month.

Ralston said: “You run the risk when you go in high and you’re going in with a force.

“So the boy ran the risk and it didn’t work out for him.

“It’s one that changed the game and I felt we capitalised on it well.”

After Brendan Rodgers sensationally resigned as manager of the Parkhead club last Tuesday, 73-year-old Martin O’Neill, Celtic boss between 2000 and 2005, and former player Shaun Maloney were appointed as the temporary management team.

They took charge for the 4-0 home William Hill Premiership win over Falkirk on Wednesday night and emerged victorious against Danny Rohl’s side at the national stadium.

Ralston has been impressed by the Northern Irishman in his short time back in the hotseat.

The Scotland defender said: “He’s been around this fixture many times, and it was great to have his knowledge, along with the other coaching staff as well, who’ve also been around the fixture.

“And it helps as well that there was a good few boys within the dressing room and on the pitch that have also had a lot of experiencing this fixture as well.

“So we were very calm, we were focussed, we knew the job that we had to do and I felt that to a man, we delivered today, which was great.

“He (O’Neill) is great, he’s funny.

“He’s let us know he’s been around the game for a long time in a humorous away and he’s been great to just give us that experience in that confidence to go out and play our football and to have belief.

“And I think you can see that with the performances.”