The SFA are expected to announce the name of the referee for the Viaplay Cup Final, with the decision almost certainly already made.
Currently in the Scottish game there are five referees that have handled the fixture but since being in charge of the December 2016 match at Ibrox Steven McLean hasn’t been asked to do the fixture again.
So far this season Nick Walsh and John Beaton have refereed the two SPFL Premiership matches which leaves Kevin Clancy and Willie Collum as the others who’ve handled the fixture, Collum taking the 2019 League Cup Final between the two clubs.
Walsh or Beaton could be asked again but that would be a big slight on Collum and Clancy although there is another derby match coming up at Celtic Park on April 8.
Even by his own low standards Collum has had a terrible season, summed up by his recent performance at Ibrox where St Johnstone were on the wrong end of three honest mistakes.
Nicky Clark’s sending off was so bad that the SFA upheld the appeal from the striker, adding to the awkwardness of that decision Walsh was on VAR that day.
The Bearsden based PE teacher has handled the two Glasgow clubs more often than any other referee this season and is clearly ticking all the boxes for Crawford Allan and the silent men inside the SFA.
Don Robertson looks like he is being groomed for the fixture after being on Fourth Official duty at Ibrox on January 2.
Next Sunday’s match at Hampden is likely to create plenty of controversy, whoever is on VAR will have almost as much responsibility as the man out on the pitch at Hampden.
Whoever is named will have VAR baggage from this season on their CV, with the justified suspicions of the Celtic support that have seen their side concede five penalties in the SPFL this season while it is 13 months since the Tribute Act suffered the same fate.
Strange as I thought they conceded a penalty at the weekend against Thistle.
Editor: 13 months since they faced a penalty in the SPFL Premiership.
Correct Charles, was about to make same point. It was saved btw. But it was 50 games to 0 pens in favour of Sevco prior to that.
PS, that’s a new record, 44 being the previously held “honour”, by Sevco as well. That of course is domestically, in Europe they conceded 4 I think within a couple of months Bassey being one.
The report says that they have not conceded a penalty in the SPFL in 13 months, which is right. The Thistle penalty was in the Scottish Cup.
they will be no penalties given against sevco in the league this season until celtic put 12 points between them and us , where upon the league is certainly gone for them and the cheating referees , expect the token few to cover their ass’s and add to the stats , munro can say he awarded a penalty , but the result was never in doubt only an eejit would think otherwise
Crawford Allan and his well-honed henchmen. Only masons need apply.