GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - APRIL 07: Referee John Beaton and Willie Collum during a cinch Premiership match between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox Stadium, on April 07, 2024, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Williamson/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Already, twice this month we have seen the anguished look on John Beaton’s face as he has been forced into awarding Celtic a penalty.
The stern look as he reluctantly stops play, takes his instruction then drags his chunky body over to the VAR monitor.
It is a sight to delight but also concern Celtic fans. We know of Beaton’s background, the school mates who profiled their Rangers daft peer.
We know his instinct is to give Celtic nothing, even in the most obvious of circumstances.
No referee spends more time reviewing Celtic incidents on the VAR monitor than Beaton.
Apparently he missed Emmanuel Longelo arm-wrestle Daizen Maeda to the ground in front of the Motherwell goal on Saturday. Every VAR angle showed the same foul, there was no way out as Kevin Clancy discussed the incident.
THE LONG PAINFUL WALK FOR BEATON
Reluctantly Beaton returned to the pitch, drew his rectangle and against all instinct pointed to the penalty spot.
It was virtually an action replay of Ibrox 13 days earlier. Both penalties were converted, Celtic are two points behind leaders Hearts with eight matches left to be played in the SPLF Premiership.
Can’t question these guys just honest guys doing a difficult job @CelticFC call this cunt out pic.twitter.com/kYw5nbjZKY
— Blakey (@TrebelQuad) March 14, 2026
The stats above are telling. They confirm all that we suspect about the man from the Crown Bar in Bellshill.
The Ibrox penalty was in his first ever Glasgow Derby.
Miles Beerman wiped out Patrick Roberts in the 7th minute. Fourth official Bobby Madden gave the nod to award the penalty. Both officials knew what was inevitable that season.
Beaton has been a regular for the Glasgow Derby at Ibrox ever since, a draw is as good as Celtic can expect.
THE VAR BACKGROUND
In January 2023 he awarded a penalty against Carl Starfelt as Fashion Sakala jumped and celebrated. Soon after he refused to award Celtic a penalty when Connor Goldson raised two hands to block a shot from the Swede.
In April 2024 he missed another Goldson handball but was forced by VAR to award Celtic a penalty. Matt O’Riley scored it and avoided a full glass bottle as he celebrated.
Later in that match Beaton booked Fabio Silva for a dive. VAR convinced him to review the incident and it became a penalty! Quite a u-turn.
So far in 2026 Beaton has refereed five SPFL Premiership matches. Only Willie Collum can explain why three of them have involved Celtic.
In a tight title race prizes can be decided by small margins. Beaton is in for a busy end to the season.
We’re all aware of the nightmare scenario fast approaching :
sevco win the league on the last day – with dubious decisions in their favour –
and with dubious decisions against Celtic and Hearts…?
And IF that was to happen, mibbees then our Board might finally speak up?
[Probably not. 🙁 ]
Make it compulsory from next season for referees and VAR nodding dogs to give post match interviews to scoop reporters just like coaches and players are obliged to now . I mean if there is nothing to hide and all decisions are made fairly and squarely by the officials , then what’s the problem for refusing to do so ? The change in the game as far as correctness is concerned would be almost instant because of the scrutiny ! Please don’t hold your breath for Christ’s sake waiting though ….
More of Cheatin Beatin coming to a few places near Celtic supporters before the season’s end for sure !