John Beaton gets whistle for Celtic’s Ibrox trip, Steven McLean is the VAR

The Scottish FA this morning confirmed the match officials who will be handling the Scottish Premiership match on Sunday afternoon between theRangers and Champions Celtic at Ibrox Park, with the latest Glasgow Derby having a 12 noon kick-off on Sunday 1st March 2026….

Sebastian Tounekti
Sebastian Tounekti is booked by John Beaton at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock v Celtic, 14 September 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

And it’s no surprise to anyone reading this on The Celtic Star that they have appointed known Rangers supporters John Beaton and Steven McLean into the key positions of match referee and VAR, as confirmed this morning by The Scottish FA on their official website.

Steven McLean
Steven McLean during the Premiership match at Celtic Park against Hibs on Saturday March 18, 2023. Photo Steve Welsh

John Beaton will be assisted by David McGeachie and Calum Spence while over at VAR HQ Steven McLean will have Kevin Clancy working alongside him.

Meanwhile Celtic will be risking a second cost of £650 trying to appeal Auston Trusty’s red card issued by Matthew MacDermid after a VAR intervention before he had made any decision in the match against Hibs at Celtic Park on Sunday afternoon.

Auston Trusty red card.
22.02.2026 Celtic v Hibernian, Scottish Premiership. Referee Matthew MacDermid conveys his VAR decision on Auston Trusty red card. Photo Kenny Ramsay IMAGO.

Celtic appealed Trusty’s earlier red card from the 2-2 draw with Hearts at Tynecastle but that was thrown out. Trusty’s latest red card means as things stand he will be suspended from the match at Ibrox on Sunday.

Yesterday Kris Boyd was talking about the side that loses this game will effectively be out of the title race and while strictly speaking that isn’t the case, he isn’t likely to be too far off the mark. Put it this way it would be a long way back into contention for Sunday’s losers.

As reported by The Scottish Sun, the Sky Sports pundit said: Whoever loses, it’s done. Finished. It’s changed now, I fully believe Hearts will get the three points against Aberdeen on Saturday and I think, Rangers or Celtic have to win the game to stay in contact.

“That weekend there is a major, major slip-up from both of them. One of them needs to win the game.”

You can be sure that John Beaton and Steven McLean will get the message Kris Boyd is sending out. And they’ve both got plenty of previous.

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About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor David Faulds has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

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5 Comments

  1. Now there’s a F**king surprise . I’ve said it before and I will say it again .This is what the Celtic Board and the Celtic Collective should be fighting ; not each other . The Anti- Catholic and Anti-Celtic media have stirred -up dis-harmony within the Celtic ranks and some elements of the Celtic support have fallen right into the trap .
    Every dirty trick in the book is being used to give theRangers a ” Leg-up ” , In the Title-race . So much so that even the Edinburgh Orange-men (Hearts ) , are now complaining . This is , ” Bare-faced “, open Bigotry and should be called-out by both the Celtic Board and every Celtic supporter . let’s get together and destroy these cheats once and for always . MON , that should be your Battle-cry to the players at Ibrox on Sunday !!!!!

    • Every boy’s dream refereeing your favourite team against a team you despise. Sfa showing their true blue colours.