Chris Sutton blasts SFA over Rangers v Celtic decision ahead of Old Firm – ‘It’s blown up’
The SFA’s decision to appoint John Beaton as the referee for the Old Firm derby has “blown up” before Rangers and Celtic face each other at Ibrox on Sunday (7 April).
That is according to Chris Sutton, who believes the appointment has come across as an attempted “powerplay” from the SFA, suggesting both sets of fans will be “uneasy” by the referee.
With such an important match on the horizon, just one point separating the rivals at the top of the Scottish Premiership, the former Celtic striker says Beaton must make no mistakes on Sunday.
Speaking to the Daily Record on Thursday (4 April), Sutton said: “It seems to me that, after recent goings-on, this an attempt from the SFA to show they will not be dictated to or influenced when it comes to match officials.
“It’s a powerplay from the top brass and, in some respects, I get that. I also think that is a reasonable enough approach in a general sense. But for this weekend? This game? This ref?
“I don’t think that was clever or wise. Look at the reaction since. It’s blown up already and we’re days away from the game actually kicking off.
“You’ve got two sets of supporters now feeling as if they are going to be hard done by or feeling uneasy about it. Some Celtic fans think Beaton is going to give Rangers every decision.
“Some Rangers fans think he’s going to give everything to Celtic because of the bashing he got from Rodgers. I’m not suggesting for a second that the SFA should, in the majority of cases, appoint referees on the basis of fans either being happy or losing their heads.
“But, on this one occasion, given there is enough tension in the air for these games, would it not have been better just to pick someone else? It seemed a needless decision and it’s like putting petrol onto flames.
“Beaton cannot do anything wrong on Sunday now. It’s as simple as that.”
Will John Beaton have a negative effect on Rangers v Celtic?
Many referees in the Scottish Premiership have been under heavy criticism this season, so any appointment ahead of this all-important Old Firm derby was likely to cause a stir.
However, Beaton’s appointment seems incredibly silly given the situation surrounding Brendan Rodgers and his recent touchline ban after comments about himself and Don Robertson after Celtic v Hearts on Sunday 3 March.
Either way, any combination of referee and VAR official need to be on their A-game for the Old Firm derby, with such a vital match on the line for both teams.
The Gers have experienced an incredible turnaround since Philippe Clement arrived at Ibrox in October, and now possess the opportunity to lift just their second league title in the last decade.
The Hoops have been dominant in Scotland in recent seasons and they will be under immense pressure from fans to not allow their rivals to pip them to the Scottish Premiership trophy.
In other Rangers news, Todd Cantwell has hit out at Scottish officials.
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