Fourth official Greg Soutar has said the decision to postpone the Aberdeen versus Celtic fixture was made with player welfare as the overriding priority. Later at Ibrox David Dickinson failed to send off James Tavernier…
Following an inspection of a problematic section inside one of the penalty boxes, Soutar determined the pitch conditions were unsafe, with the turf breaking up into soft mud which would ultimately fail to hold players’ footing.
The surface was also affecting the movement of the ball, which was failing to bounce properly in that area.
After conducting his assessment at 4pm, Soutar opted to postpone the 8pm kick-off, which had been due to be broadcast live by Sky Sports.
However, the Scottish FA official has insisted that calling off the match was the only sensible decision in the interests of player safety.
Speaking via Sky Sports, Soutar said: “There was an area of concern raised at the bottom end within the penalty area. I have went down there and had a look at that.”
“There is extremely soft mud, it is moving when you put studs in it. There is concern for the player safety when they are running in that the boot will just slip, it is not taking studs.”
“The ball is also not bouncing in that area, and all that taken into consideration the player safety is paramount to this decision and I just couldn’t ensure that.”
When questioned if it was an easy decision to call the game off, Soutar added: “I had a look at it. It is not one that I thought was in doubt; it was a fairly straightforward decision in respect of player safety.”
There is still uncertainty over whether Aberdeen’s Scottish Cup defence against Motherwell at Pittodrie on Saturday evening will go ahead, as the region continues to face severe winter weather. The North-east has endured persistent heavy rain and snowfall since the start of the year.
🗣️ "It was a fairly straightforward decision in respect of the player's safety"
Fourth official Greg Soutar explains why the Pittodrie pitch failed a pitch inspection ahead of tonight's game between Aberdeen and Celtic ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/eMnxdIvPTP
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) February 4, 2026
Celtic are back in action this weekend against Dundee at Celtic Park in the Scottish Cup, which is the match that is the subject of a boycott call from the Celtic Fans Collective as protests against the Celtic Board intensify.
The Dens Park club also had their game postponed against Motherwell with that decision taken much earlier in the day which would have been of great assistance to the Motherwell fans planning on going to the match.
There can be no doubt that the only difference is the shirt:pic.twitter.com/TpU55BDEZh
— 🍔 Gastro Celtic 🍀 (@Gastro_Celtic) February 5, 2026
Meanwhile at Ibrox theRangers beat Kilmarnock 5-1 in a game that saw James Tavernier avoid a red card for pretty much the same offence as Auston Trusty was dismissed for at Tynecastle and had his appeal to the Scottish FA rejected – theRangers supporting referee David Dickinson waved play on and there was no intervention by Chris Graham on VAR.
David Dickinson has reffed 4 Rangers games since December:
Dutd 2-2 Rangers (97th minute penalty to Rangers)
Aberdeen 0-2 Rangers (penalty to Rangers)
Rangers 1-0 Motherwell
(Motherwell denied last minute penalty)Rangers 5-1 Kilmarnock.
(Penalty to Rangers 3rd min & 🟥) pic.twitter.com/9jFactKIRO— Lint (@Zeshankenzo) February 5, 2026
Usually it’s only Celtic supporters who highlight these instances of what appears to be regular assistance given to the latest Ibrox club from biased match officials. This time around though it’s somewhat different as Hearts have a direct interest in the destination of the title.
They have to go to Ibrox shortly and should be preparing themselves for more of the same. The time to speak up is NOW!
Conor Spence
Yes dicksons the first game he refereed a celtic game he was poor his deci against Celtic were poor and on falkirk game at weekend he gave so many distiturbing calls decisions inside Celtics half now falkirk have a big team and with Celtic main Centre half suspendid by a poor call from beaton in var chair after ref gave him a yellow he is suspended for this game his replacement had a good game willie collumn has to grow a pair most nuetrlise can see this thats how we are treaty as a micky mouse league
Expecting fairness from golom dream on. This guy will find ways to justify his crew. Another not fit for purpose.hh
Instead of fighting each other , this is what the Celtic Board and the Celtic Collective should be fighting . A definate sending-off ( Tavernier had already been booked) and no referal to VAR . Dundee were robbed by exactly the same issue on Sunday at Ibrox .
Also another Penalty to the HUNS —Tavernier will be breaking Jimmy McGrory’s ALL TIME record , at this rate .
This corruption should be making more head-lines than Mandelson’s daliences with Epstein . Expose the B******ds :- Beaton , Dallas , McLean , Dickinson and a few more ; they can’t get the whistle to their lips fast enough when theGers are struggling . Name and shame them and get them in court !!!!!
Celtic Fans Collective is open to dialogue the Celtic Board is not.