John Beaton made an emotional return to Ibrox for the League Cup tie against St Mirren.
His last on duty appointment was on 4 April when Dundee United lost 4-2.
Few of the bears realised it but that match would prove to be the last time that Jack Butland, James Tavernier and Danny Rohl celebrated a win at Ibrox.
The last four months have been traumatic.
From a likely automatic Champions League spot to a knife-edge Europa Conference Play Off against Jablonec.
Bizarrely Beaton has become a hate figure for many Ibrox fans over the last four months.
When Celtic visited Motherwell in the second last SPFL match Beaton refereed to his usual standards.
Watching Austin Trusty getting elbowed in the face at a throw-in he awarded Motherwell a throw in after Sam Nicholson punched the ball out the park.
When Andrew Dallas orders a pitch-side review for a potential Celtic penalty you know things must be grave.
On viewing it Beaton had no option but to award a penalty. Kelechi Iheanacho scored, Celtic won the match and went on to win the title. Derek McInnes described the penalty decision as disgusting.
The reaction of Ibrox fans has been less than dignified. One was charged after leaking personal details about the referee.
Ref’s are against them
— BigEv (@bigev7277) August 16, 2026
BEATON OPTS OUT OF RED CARD DECISION
Already booked for an attempted body check/ rugby tackle Manny Fernandez was cruising through the game in third gear.
With his side leading 4-1 St Mirren attacked down the right wing.
The ball was slipped in to Sule who was knocked over by Fernandez in the penalty box.
Beaton couldn’t deny St Mirren a penalty but he failed to punish Fernandez. It was a bookable offence. A second red would have seen the home side playing out 25 minutes with 10 men ahead of a Conference League Play Off on Thursday.
Trailing 4-1 with a wide open defence St Mirren were never taking anything from the match.
On Thursday the match officials for the match against Jablonec won’t be appointed by the SFA.
How come penrice got registered when the circus is shut for the weekend?
Danger Mouse used his influence to get Penfold registered.
That’s the start of him and his like ready to redeem themselves for sevcos fans view as them F*****G it last season favouring Celtic.
2 double dunters coming up very soon,they are out for revenge,going by those decisions today,they will get it.
It’s what Beavis&Butthead aka McWinless and Shankers serve up in the coming days will deter their season.
Fernandez was Hugh Keevins tip for player of the year
As per usual, no consequences for poor / suspect match officiating.
Just more of the same ‘inconsistencies’ by the ref / VAR for the season to come.
…and our ‘top match officials’ continue to drift further and further away from
ever being invited to a WC or Euros Finals again?
When McInnes pleaded for help last week John Beaton was listening ..intensely ! Not only did he not send off Fernandez like the rules state but he ordered the St Mirren converted penalty to be retaken as he has not blown the whistle to do so ! Don’t worry ..he’s just the start of the help Del boy asked for . There’s are plenty more in the wings ready willing and able to do their bit …all for the cause ! No questions asked .
Joe, isn’t this incident not covered by the relatively new rule of ‘double jeopardy’ where a player can’t be punished twice for the same offence I.e. a red card and a penalty awarded against your team for the one tackle? I think Mr. B might be correct on this one.
No DISGUSTING comment from McInnes regarding Fernandez…
Nah – Thought f**kin not !