John Beaton will referee Celtic’s Betfred Cup tie with St Johnstone tomorrow night.
It’s the second time that the Lanarkshire based referee has had a Celtic match this season with memories still fresh of his display at Tynecastle last month.
Steven Naismith was allowed to kick out twice at a grounded Jonny Hayes then shout at the winger from close range with no punishment from Beaton. He was also the fourth official who allegedly shouted ‘Foul, Foul, Foul’ when Ryan Jack hit the deck trying to foul Tom Rogic during the recent Glasgow derby.
At the weekend he seemed to take charge of the Partick Thistle v Queen of the South match without too much incident although Steve Clarke was highly critical of his display the previous week when Kilmarnock lost 3-2 away to Hibs.
Without a win in any of their three SPFL away matches so far this season the pressure will be on Celtic despite facing a St Johnstone side that lost 5-1 to Sevco on Sunday.
The quater-final ties kick off tonight with Hibs hosting Aberdeen at Easter Road.
