As was widely predicted Bobby Madden will referee Sunday’s derby fixture at Ibrox.
The Lanarkshire based official first took charge of the two clubs in March 2017 which is best remembered for his decision not to award Celtic a late penalty when Clint Hill felled Leigh Griffiths as he prepared to shoot from 15 yards out. Earlier in the match Kenny Miller and Jason Holt escaped punishment for incidents involving Stuart Armstrong and Patrick Roberts.
Despite that performance Madden is firmly on board the small band of officials trusted to take charge of that fixture. Willie Collum, John Beaton, Kevin Clancy and Steven McLean are the only others currently still in the game following Craig Thomson’s decision to retire.
With a variety of new rules in place the East Kilbride based official will be under more scrutiny that ever.
In July Madden discussed the rule changes with The Daily Record reported:
Asked if the change will result in more penalties next term, he told STV : “I think so, I really do believe it will. In terms of ambiguity, the new criteria really clears that up. It’s about unnatural position and enlarging the body, so there’s clear definition there of what should be considered handball. There will still be a degree of interpretation there but I think it’s clearer.”
Referee Bobby Madden believes the new handball rule will see more penalties in Scottish football this season. pic.twitter.com/y2xuLNBIrT
— STV Sport (@STVSport) July 26, 2019
After three consecutive appearances as an assistant Douglas Ross won’t be on duty on Sunday. Frank Connor who was on the line at the Celtic v Inverness Caley Thistle Scottish Cup Semi Final in 2015 will be on flag with former Police Officer Graeme Stewart on the other. Willie Collum is the fourth official.
