GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - JULY 26: Rangers Liam Kelly protests with Referee John Beaton at Half Time during a pre-season friendly match between Rangers and Middlesbrough at Ibrox Stadium, on July 26, 2025, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Williamson/SNS Group via Getty Images)
John Beaton has started the new season with a special introduction to Russell Martin in a completely manufactured controversy.
The Lanarkshire based referee was like a kid on Christmas Day as he took charge of Middlesbrough’s visit to Ibrox without the interference of VAR.
Beaton was a key figure as the Ibrox club twice enjoyed runs of 60 plus matches without conceding a penalty in the SPFL under the guidance of Crawford Allan.
He excelled in the spplication of Goldson’s Law which allowed the former Shrewsbury starlet to use his hands and arms in a variety of positions without punishment.
As Middlesbrough dominated the first half at Ibrox, and leading by 1-0 they were denied a penalty for a clear trip in front of Beaton with the man from the Crown Bar blinking at the moment of contact.
Beaton’s assistant got in on the spirit of the day with a ludicrous offside flag to deny the visitors a second goal.
Pre Season Friendly or not.. this decision to be given offside is a shocker. #BORO #Rangers pic.twitter.com/skOFMUeoQ4
— Ryan (@Ryan49038488297) July 26, 2025
Shortly before half-time the home side should have been awarded a penalty when a Middlesbrough arm shot up as a corner swung into the six yard box.
Beaton opted not to award a penalty, the crowd turned on him and attention was deflected away from the disallowed goal and Middlesbrough’s penalty appeal.
At half-time Beaton was confronted by a foul mouthed member of the Green Party who was ordered from the dug-out, watching the second half from the media gantry.
Asked if he feared that he could be banned from the dug out for the SPFL opener away at Motherwell, Martin told The Sun:
No, I don’t think so, no. I’d be surprised. We shook hands and had a chat after and they accepted my apology and he apologised about the decision as well. Hopefully it’s all just done and dusted.
All good knock about stuff with the message that the Ibrox club were the victims of the SFA before the season gets underway.
Beaton refereed the January 2023 Glasgow Derby at Ibrox when Goldson used two hands to push away a shot from Carl Starfelt.
If there is a repeat of the incident shown above in a competitive match bookmakers will suspend betting in anticipation of Tavpen trending.
The SPFL Premiership season starts at Motherwell on Saturday with David Dickinson or Steven McLean expected to be in charge, backed up by Andrew Dallas on VAR duty.
And next year, Beaton & co. can only watch the World Cup on TV.
Their ‘service’s to remain unwanted!
I saw the Middlesborough game in a boozer. The far side linesman put his flag up with relentless repetition every time Middlesborough crossed the halfway line. Beyond ludicrous. With the stage managed penalty incident the commentator then got his cue to go on a rant about how Sevco are treated differently to other clubs. I couldn’t agree more. I take it he dogged school the day they were discussing irony in English class.
He might’ve been dogging school the day they were discussing irony Guillermo…
But he certainly wasn’t the day they were teaching HYPOCRISY for sure !