Hugh Keevins rages over ‘unfair’ John Beaton decision amid Rangers v Celtic controversy
Hugh Keevins believes it was “unfair” on John Beaton for the SFA to appoint him as the referee for the Rangers game against Celtic on Sunday (7 April).
Speaking on Clyde 1 Superscoreboard on Wednesday (3 April), the Daily Record journalist said there has been 40 hours of controversy since the decision was made as he pointed out how people have suggested the official has been appointed to favour the Gers in the Old Firm clash.
After the conspiracy theories have emerged, Keevins added that he wishes the governing body hadn’t made the decision because it’s “unfair” on Beaton ahead of the showdown at Ibrox.
“We’ve had this 40 hours’ worth of controversy following on from the appointment of the referee,” said Keevins. “I think the appointment is unfair on John Beaton because people believe that John Beaton was appointed to that match because he will definitely favour Rangers over Celtic.
“My response to that would be why? And this man’s had trouble before from supporters off the park because of this fixture. Why would a man bring all of that down on his own head?
“I think that conspiracies and the referee, that’s why I wish that they had not appointed John Beaton because it’s unfair on John Beaton.”
Should John Beaton have been appointed for Rangers against Celtic?
It is a little strange that the SFA decided to appoint Beaton as referee for the Old Firm game as it was probably an avoidable situation.
The controversy has come off the back of Brendan Rodgers receiving a one-match ban for criticising the official when he was on VAR for the Celtic defeat against Hearts last month.
While there is often pressure already on the referee in what is such a big occasion, the decision has opened Beaton up to potentially even more criticism.
Everyone will be hoping that the game isn’t settled by any controversial decisions and that VAR doesn’t have to get too involved as that has been a frustration shared by many fans this season.
It would just be great to see the two sides going head-to-head and the focus be purely on the football as they look to gain an advantage in the battle for the title.
In other Rangers news, a pundit has reacted to an accusation aimed at the SFA following an Old Firm development.
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