Rangers v Celtic: ‘A lot of controversy’ now expected at Ibrox around John Beaton
John Beaton is going into the key clash between Rangers and Celtic with pressure heaped on him thanks to the situation with Brendan Rodgers, believes Derek Ferguson.
The official will take charge at Ibrox on Sunday (7 April) with the visiting manager on the sidelines after having the second of his two-game ban suspended for pointed criticism of Beaton as the VAR when Hearts beat the Hoops 2-0 on 3 March.
Ferguson feels it was “really unusual” for a manager to direct their comments towards an individual VAR in that way and is surprised Rodgers got away without a multi-game sanction.
And now he predicts the presence of Beaton in the middle for the Old Firm game will be specifically difficult for the referee, and is almost guaranteed to create extra controversy during the match.
Speaking exclusively to Ibrox News he said: “I just think Beaton is going to be under so much pressure in a massive game like this. And I don’t think it’s needed. Sometimes you think with coaches and managers, are they playing the game? Are they at it a little bit?
“It’s just going to heap pressure on him. The fixture comes with it, there’s always going to be that with the players and the fans. The last person you need to come under pressure is the referee that’s in charge.
“It’s going to create a lot of controversy because obviously the Celtic manager called him out the last time at Tynecastle, I think he was doing VAR that day.
“It was really unusual for a manager to call out somebody that’s working on VAR. There’s always decisions that are contentious and you’re not going to please everybody.
“I just think it’s an added pressure that’s probably not needed, so I hope, and this is just my opinion, I hope he does have a good game, for both parties.
“Because the last thing you want this game decided on is a refereeing mistake or a VAR mistake, which we’ve seen quite a number of, not just up in Scotland but in England as well.
“So I hope that’s not the case and I hope John Beaton has a good game.”
John Beaton set for officiating controversy as Rangers take on Celtic?
It is rare enough that a Glasgow derby passes without some sort of controversy as it is, so the dual decisions to suspend the second of Rodgers’ sanctioned games, and then appoint Beaton for Ibrox, seem destined increase scrutiny over his every decision hugely.
He, like Ferguson, will no doubt be hoping there is nothing overly contentious that puts him in the spotlight on Sunday, but this being Rangers vs Celtic, not least with the title potentially on the line with a win for either side, that seems like wishful thinking.
Whatever happens it would be some surprise if the fallout from a crucial top of the table clash doesn’t include significant mention of the referee.
In other Rangers news, a “badly wanted” Ibrox ace has snubbed interest from a club desperate to sign him, but he could still leave.
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