One match came to mind for Celtic fans this afternoon when it was announced that John Beaton will referee the first Glasgow derby of the season.
December 2018 at Ibrox, the Lanarkshire based referee put in a performance that will never be forgotten or forgiven.
Celtic turned in an awful performance, Brendan Rodgers side were miles off it but the same could easily be said for the match referee.
Alfredo Morelos seemed to have a special immunity with physical attacks on Scott Brown, Anthony Ralston and Ryan Christie going without punishment.
The Colombian escaped without even a yellow card but it was assumed that the Compliance Officer would catch up on events with at least one two match suspension handed out retrospectively. Nothing happened, no incidents were referred to the panel of referees, it seems that the SFA were satisfied with the performance of their referee.
A week after the match and the realisation that nothing was happening Celtic were prompted into a statement requesting transparency:
In order to fully understand what is going on, Celtic, our supporters, Scottish clubs and the general Scottish football public need transparency in these matters, and we therefore call on the Scottish FA to allow the referee, John Beaton, to explain these decisions publicly as well as any match officials involved in other similar circumstances.
In the meantime, we have requested a meeting with Scottish FA Chief Executive, Ian Maxwell, and the Association’s Head of Refereeing.
That demand appears to have fallen by the wayside with no further comment from the club, next Saturday Beaton will be back in the spotlight with the cloud from the fixture 22 months earlier hanging over him.
John Beaton in Celtic vs Rangers return as whistler handed first derby since controversial Ibrox clashhttps://t.co/arDMmt5F9y pic.twitter.com/2cPKhO5wqA
— Daily Record Sport (@Record_Sport) October 9, 2020
Do your job correctly this time eh , that’s all
— B (@Aoifes_daddy) October 9, 2020
@ClydeSSB John Beaton to Ref the Glasgow Derby!
The Ref that refused to send off Morelos for 3 Red Card offences against Celtic the same game! Then went off to his favourite Rangers Pub to celebrate the victory!
— George Brown (@GeoBrown26) October 9, 2020
John Beaton will be gutted. He won’t be able to go to the crown bar after the match to boast about the penalties he gave to his team or letting Moreorless away with murder
— Stephbhoy? (@1976stephbhoy) October 9, 2020
How does he get this after the last gig? Penalty Rangers incoming ?
— Mark McReynolds (@Mark_McReynolds) October 9, 2020
It wasn’t controversial if you are prepared to ignore 4 assaults.
— Eddie (@eddiedoch) October 9, 2020
The man that admitted he saw three red card morelos incidents , but didnt see anything wrong with them. Operation stop the ten in full flow
— Coatbridgebhoy (@Coatbridgebhoy1) October 9, 2020
Defo a pen in this game, and not for the Celtic ????????
— K McG??????? (@mcgik3) October 9, 2020
Anything to stop Celtic winning ?
— ? The King ? (@KingDutchy99) October 9, 2020
A last through of the dice to stop the 10
— Tim Alloy (@TimAlloy6) October 9, 2020
John Beaton in charge next Saturday? So fans are allowed back into stadiums?
— Sean-Paul (@sean1888celtic) October 9, 2020
