John Beaton- a huge threat to Celtic at Motherwell

On the back of a fortnight of deep personal pain John Beaton will referee tonight’s match between Motherwell and Celtic.

It is a local appointment for the Bellshill based referee, something that wouldn’t be tolerated in any serious country.

No serious footballing country would let Willie Collum near the job of being Head of Refereeing.

The last time that Collum refereed Celtic was also against Motherwell, on March 14.

Fifteen different referees have been in charge of SPFL Premiership matches this season. There is no need for the same referee to be in charge of a fixture between the same clubs twice in one season.

Only Collum can explain why Beaton has been put in charge. Collum and Beaton are both members of the Lanarkshire Refereeing Association. As is VAR for tonight, Andrew Dallas.

Elsewhere is UEFA countries the Federation is aware of where referees live, who they support and are given matches that won’t create a conflict of interest.

Since denying Albion Rovers a Scottish Cup win at Ibrox Beaton’s career has been on an upward trajectory. A very lucrative second income.

Under John Fleming, Crawford Allan and Collum he has been assured the top appearance fees and high profile fixtures. Good for his profile at the Crown Bar in Bellshill.

BEATON NEEDS VAR TO AWARD A PENALTY TO CELTIC

Celtic got a double dose of Beaton in March. He was in charge at Ibrox on March 1 and at home to Motherwell on March 14.

In both matches he required VAR to step in and award Celtic penalties.

At Ibrox he took more than two minutes to realise that Dujon Sterling’s handball of a Daizen Maeda header meant that a penalty had to be awarded.

To be fair to Beaton it was difficult to catch the handball in real time. There is no excuse for the time it took to decide that it was a penalty.

Against Motherwell there was no defence of Beaton.

As a corner came in from the right with the score at 1-1 Daizen Maeda was about to knock the ball in at the back post.

Emmanual Longelo then wiped him out. A clear foul, denying a goal scoring opportunity. Beaton awarded a goal kick.

Fortunately Kevin Clancy on VAR duty was quickly on the case.

It was suggested that Beaton reviews the incident pitchside.

Again after an unduly long review a penalty was awarded. Longelo was sent off with Tomas Cvancara scoring the penalty. Celtic went on to win 3-1.

Tonight at Motherwell Martin O’Neill and his players know exactly what they are up against.