Rangers fans have given mixed reactions after the SFA confirmed that John Beaton will referee Sunday’s Old Firm clash against Celtic at Ibrox [Scottishfa.co.uk].
The two sides are facing off for the third time in the league this season, with Celtic winning in Govan in September and the Gers triumphing at Parkhead in December.
Rangers’ collapse in domestic competition since the turn of the year has ensured that the Premiership title race is as good as over, but there’s still plenty of anticipation ahead of this one.
When the Old Firm comes around, there’s an immense amount of scrutiny on the referee, perhaps more so than with any other fixture in European football.
Kevin Clancy was in charge at Celtic Park in December and made several major errors, including awarding Celtic a goal despite a clear handball from Odsonne Edouard.
Unsurprisingly, he won’t be in the middle again at the weekend, with Beaton getting the call-up.
The appointment has brought about a mixed response from Rangers fans, though. Beaton last took charge of a derby at Ibrox back in December 2018, when he was widely considered to have given several high profile decisions in Rangers’ favour.
Rumours about an allegiance to the blue side of the divide were prominent following the game and he was subject to serious abuse.
There’s been a feeling ever since that the whistler has been afraid to give the Gers decisions.
For example, he failed to award a clear penalty at Pittodrie in December which could have seen the Gers emerge with three points rather than one, while he also made several errors during the defeat at Rugby Park last month.
Here’s a selection of reactions to the news:
