Willie Collum gets Celtic v Rangers match
Collum has only ever handled one previous derby clash when he gave Rangers a penalty last October despite having his back to play when Kirk Broadfoot fell theatrically in the penalty box.
The 31-year-old has refereed three Celtic matches already this season and has taken charge of two Rangers games.
During the October 29 Aberdeen v Rangers match he issued a straight red card to Dons striker Rory Fallon which was downgraded to a yellow after an appeal from Aberdeen.
Collum’s appointment brings to an end Craig Thomson’s monopoly on the fixture after refereeing three consecutive derby matches. Calum Murray will be Colum’s fourth official with Graham Chambers and Gordon Drummond as assistants.
Saturday’s Celtic v Kilmarnock match will be refereed by George Salmond with Stevie McLean taking charge of the St Mirren v Rangers clash.
On January 2 Iain Brines will referee the Dunfermline v Celtic match with Euan ‘spot-kick’ Norris in charge of the Rangers v Motherwell match.
Bobby Madden who refereed Saturday’s controversial Rangers v Inverness Caley Thistle match has been given just one festive SPL appointment- the January 2 match between Kilmarnock and St Mirren- with Steve Conroy and Charlie Richmond left out of any SPL appointments.
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