---
title: "Celtic: John Beaton confirmed as Old Firm derby referee"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-john-beaton-confirmed-old-firm-hoops-celticfc-news-updates/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Celtic News"
published: "2022-04-26T16:40:49Z"
modified: "2022-04-26T16:40:49Z"
---

# Celtic: John Beaton confirmed as Old Firm derby referee

**John Beaton has been confirmed as the referee for Sunday’s crucial [Scottish Premiership](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/scottish-premiership-news/) clash between [Celtic](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-transfer-rumours/) and Rangers at Parkhead.**

### The Lowdown: Massive game at Parkhead

Ange Postecoglou’s side kept up their six-point lead over their rivals on Sunday afternoon, picking up a precious 2-0 victory away to Ross County.

Next up for the Hoops is this weekend’s critical Old Firm derby meeting at Parkhead, with a win for the hosts all but securing title glory after missing out last year.

It is a game that can sometimes be defined by the refereeing performance – Bobby Madden’s display drew [plenty of conversation](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sPtIdQfbNQ) in the cup semi-final – and the man in the middle has now been confirmed for Sunday’s meeting.

[Key latest Celtic updates!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/key-latest-celtic-updates-4/)

### The Latest: Beaton takes charge

It is Beaton who will take charge of proceedings at Parkhead, reports [The Scotsman](https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/celtic-v-rangers-referee-confirmed-as-experienced-whistler-handed-potential-title-decider-3669149), and based on his own judgement, Hoops fans may not be particularly pleased to see him with the whistle.

Back in 2020, Beaton himself admitted that Celtic supporters would [‘absolutely love’](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/celtic-vs-rangers-referee-john-23056827) to get rid of Scottish referees for this fixture, claiming ‘[everybody](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/celtic-vs-rangers-referee-john-23056827)‘ except the officials themselves want them replaced.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”389441″\]

### The Verdict: Unpopular choice

The appointment of Beaton will not go down well with Postecoglou and his players, or the fans for that matter – he has even hinted at preferring refereeing behind closed doors, saying in [those comments back in 2020](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/celtic-vs-rangers-referee-john-23056827) life was easier without the intensity from the fans.

That said, Celtic need to focus on the task at hand and ignore any controversy – if the Hoops allow the referee to get to them, the only people it is going to affect is themselves, on what is a potentially defining afternoon in the title race.

Essentially, all the pressure is on Rangers, who really have to win the match – the only hope is that Beaton doesn’t end up having a negative say on matters.

***In other news, an ex-Celtic hero has taken a dig at Rangers ahead of Sunday’s game. Read more [here](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-news/celtic-charlie-nicholas-takes-title-swipe-at-rangers/).***