Referee and VAR confirmed for Celtic vs Rangers 2.0 as familiar face selected in Premiership Old Firm showdown
Officiating team confirmed for Celtic vs Rangers on Sunday
The SFA have selected the referee and officiating team for this Sunday’s Premiership Old Firm Derby between Celtic and Rangers.
The Light Blues currently possess the bragging rights in the grudge match after their 3-0 win at Ibrox in the Premier Sports Cup quarter final last weekend. The nature of the result meant refereeing decisions were far less scrutinised than normal for a derby fixture, but it was still a busy enough afternoon for referee Nick Walsh - who dished out five yellow cards on Sunday afternoon.
Celtic remain five points clear of the rivals in the standings and will be looking to bridge that gap even further before the international break. Meanwhile, Rangers will be looking to build some momentum after last weekend’s dominant performance. Ahead of round two of the Old Firm double-header, the SFA have chosen who will be in charge of this Sunday’s battle at Celtic Park:
Referee and VAR confirmed for Old Firm clash
John Beaton has been selected as the whistler for Sunday afternoon in what will be the first Celtic match he’s took charge of since he controversially awarded them a penalty towards the end of last season against Motherwell at Fir Park to keep them in the title race with Hearts.
He’ll be assisted by David McGeachie and Jonathan Bell running the lines at Celtic Park, alongside fourth official. Nick Walsh will be on VAR duties as he leaves the pitch for Clydesdale House on Sunday. He’ll be assisted by Grant Irvine.
What did the manager say after last weekend’s Derby?
Rangers boss Derek McInnes said: “I’m delighted, obviously, to get the club into the semi-final. I feel the performance we gave today was the performance that was required to overcome a team like Celtic. I don’t think we had one failure and that’s what it takes to win this type of game.”
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill said: "We've had the setback on Sunday, something that you have to, first of all, look at it. Then you have to hurt a bit. You have to hurt a lot, I think. "After that, then you go and rise above it again. That defines you as much as anything else."