Willie Collum announced as referee for Rangers v Celtic clash at Ibrox, Des Roache reacts
By Charlotte Cohen
Willie Collum will take charge of Rangers’ clash against Celtic at Ibrox on Sunday, which could be one of the pivotal games in deciding whether the Gers can claim the Scottish Premiership trophy for the second season in a row.
There were only a handful of officials who had the potential to take charge of the fixture but the SFA have announced that Collum will referee this game on their official website.
Bobby Madden took charge of the last derby at Parkhead and John Beaton hasn’t refereed an Old Firm match since August 2021, the result of which saw Rangers come out on top.
Former referee Des Roache believes the appointment of Collum is the best option for the Old Firm as he’s the most in-form referee in the Scottish Premiership right now.
Speaking on the Get Involved Referee podcast, as quoted by the Daily Record, Roache said: “At the top end in elite refereeing within our own country, we only really have four candidates that can do this match, so you’ve really got to manage it.
“It’s like a player, you are looking for someone who’s in form.
“There was controversy recently around John Beaton at the Dundee United-Celtic game and Bobby (Madden) at the Dundee-Rangers game, I think it would potentially would be flared up.
“Willie just floating along, young Nick Walsh, his time will come. He’s already done one… so he may be trusted with one later on this year.”
A good omen
The last time Collum took charge of the fixture was in May 2021, when Rangers beat Celtic 4-1 keeping the Light Blues firmly on track for their unbeaten season.
However, the 43-year-old was the subject of a complaint from the Ibrox side back in 2019 after he controversially sent off Daniel Candeias in the side’s 2-0 win over St Mirren.
In terms of disciplinary action this season, Collum has taken charge of three Rangers games, awarding an average of 11 fouls per game, but only handing out six yellow cards to Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men.
On the other hand, Collum has refereed four Celtic fixtures, and while averaging just over 15 fouls per game, he has only handed out four yellow cards to the Old Firm rivals.
Collum will be assisted by Graeme Steward and David Roome and Nick Walsh will be the fourth official for what is set to be a massive game in keeping Rangers’ title hopes alive.
In other Rangers news, Ally McCoist broke Sky Sports’ protocol live on-air as he made a remark about the upcoming Old Firm.