UEFA have turned to one of their most experienced referees to take charge of Wednesday’s Champions League clash between Celtic and Manchester City.
Neither club has any disciplinary problems in recent times but with a Scotland v England clash always requires special attention with Nicola Rizzoli chosen to be the man in the middle.
The 45-year-old Italian has been involved in the Champions League for eight seasons and also officiated at the summer European Championships Finals.
In France Rizzoli took charge of four matches including the Germany v France semi final as well as England’s 1-1 draw with Russia. During the Euro qualifiers he refereed the 1-1 draw between Ireland and Scotland in Dublin.
Last season he took charge of six Champions League ties including the second leg of the Atletico Madrid v Barcelona quarter-final. Barcelona were furious that they weren’t given a late penalty which would have taken them through on away goals with a 2-2 aggregate.
One player hoping to be involved on Wednesday night is Craig Gordon who has largely been frozen out since the arrival of Dorus de Vries.
Gordon replaced the Dutchman at half time in Celtic’s 6-1 win over Kilmarnock but will have to wait to see who Brendan Rodgers picks to face City.
“It would be good to get a run in the team but there’s a lot of competition,” the former Hearts keeper said. “We have now got four first-team goalkeepers that are all of a really good standard so it’s going to be tough but it’s a good challenge and one I’m definitely up for.
“I have been training very hard over the last few weeks to try to make sure I’m in the manager’s plans and try and get a run in the team, and I’ll continue to do that.
“I spoke to him once when he told me he was going to put Dorus in the team. I have not spoken to him since then but I have just gone away and tried to work and also do my homework on what he likes his goalkeepers to do.
“I’m trying to improve my game so when I go back in the team that I can maybe adapt more to what he’s looking for.”
