Well that’s a surprise! The Scottish FA have announced this morning that Willie Collum will referee the Glasgow Derby at Celtic Park this Saturday, his first Scottish Premiership match of 2024 that involves theRangers.
That appeared to have been linked to Collum’s ultimately correct call not to award theRangers a penalty in their last visit to Celtic Park on 30 December, which Celtic won 2-1. The ball appeared to strike Alistair Johnston’s arm but neither referee Nick Walsh nor Willie Collum on VAR duties decided that it was a penalty.
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In fact it was all immaterial anyway due to an offside in the build-up to the incident. That though didn’t stop the raging Rangers launching an attack on Collum and other than a low risk Scottish Cup tie against Ayr United at Ibrox, Collum has never been allowed near their games in the Scottish Premiership.
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Until this Saturday that is.
Collum will be assisted by David McGeachie and Ross Macleod while Don Robertson will be the Fourth Official at the Glasgow Derby on Saturday. Meanwhile Steven McLean will head up the VAR operation assisted by Graeme Stewart.
The outrage from across the city will be along shortly…
Must be Beatons turn to man the lodge doors this weekend, at least with Collum we know he does make mistakes but its also pretty clear that hes not a cheat, I was quite surprised his name came out of the hat especially given his recent unpleasant history withthem and the fact this is a “must win” game for theRangers. Without their customary match penalty Im expecting Celtic to put them firmly in their place this weekend, A win for the Bhoys will be followed by a press frenzy on Sunday when they launch their latest complaint with the SFA about the match official.