At some stage today the SFA will announce the match officials for Sunday’s match at Ibrox.
There is no set timing for the announcement, it could be put back till tomorrow but an afternoon announcement ahead of Scotland playing in Austria would minimise the impact.
Recent weeks have seen a number of hard to work out decisions from Scotland’s leading referees but one of those men in black will be in the spotlight on Sunday with the problem compounded with three Derby fixtures expected over a four or five week stretch.
John Beaton seems to be the man that Celtic supporters are expecting which will create a spare table at the Crown Bar in Bellshill.
Back in December 2018 Beaton turned in an incredible performance at Ibrox as the homeside won their first ever SPFL match against Celtic.
Six days later Celtic issued a sheepish statement, over tea and biscuits with Ian Maxwell at Hampden Peter Lawwell was reminded of his actions in the summer of 2012 with Beaton’s career unaffected.
Going against a Beaton appointment are three Celtic away matches since January 26- at Hearts, Motherwell and Dundee United. Bobby Madden managed to get six of Celtic’s first 24 SPFL matches.
Kevin Clancy refereed the first Derby fixture but has effectively been blackballed with Madden taking the February clash.
Willie Collum was announced for the January fixture but when that was put back a month he was replaced by Madden. Whether that puts him in line for Sunday isn’t known with the other option being Nick Walsh as the diminishing talent pool is highlighted.
Should find out tomorrow who the ref is for Sunday.
Any guesses?
— Sevco = Sideshow FC (@Hahahasevco1) March 28, 2022
John “piss the bed face” Beaton
— Big Top Hatter (@HatterBig) March 28, 2022
Beaton.
— Dave’s at the rave. (@davidkerr1970) March 28, 2022
My money is on Beaton! He’ll revel being at Ibrox, his 2nd home!
— Wee Fergs! (@Michael38166809) March 28, 2022
They will want their best squad on Sunday so you have to include Beaton. Gives everything for them, every game he’s involved in.
HH????— Kenneth Donnelly (@Kenneth42571834) March 29, 2022
Beaton will get this one.
— Hoopybhoy ???? (@PaddyBhoy1965) March 28, 2022
It will probably be Beaton. He hasn’t refereed in a Glasgow Derby since October 2020.
— JV (@jamesv3007) March 28, 2022
Bobby Madhun their all the same cmon Celtic ???
Walsh for me.
Already proven he duzny give a monkeys how partizan he looks, he just gives them everything.
Madden or Beaton get your cash on it.
On another matter Chris itchy sack Jack quoted in another interview today that 4 players at sevco to be sold on in the summer for a total of £36 million Kent,Aribo,Morelos and Helander.
Two chances of that kind of cash for them 4 none and f**c all.
Just score one more than them. That’s all it needs.
Editor: Have you been in a coma since 2012?
Madden, Walsh, Beaton…they’ve all bared a nipple and violated a poor wee goat for the cause, so it matters not who the mason in black is. “Penalty to Rangers (sic)” will be the tweet, every time Celtic score a goal. Unless we blow them away with some quick goals (5 please) then we won’t be allowed the 3 points. If it’s 2-0 with 10 mins to go they WILL get 2 penalties if we allow them near the box (just outside is inside to a Scots ref when necessary). I will be putting money on them getting at least one penalty in the game, surely some easy cash to be had?
Durty bassas!
Referees are given their appointments a month in advance