One recurring name as Celtic fans play the Ibrox referee guessing game

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.  

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