Rangers v Celtic: SFA make official Old Firm announcement
Rangers and Celtic kick off 2025 with the Old Firm derby at Ibrox and a team of officials have now been confirmed by the SFA, according to PA Sport.
It was revealed via STV News [30 December] that Don Robertson will referee the showdown on Thursday [2 January], in an announcement that appeared rather late in what Behind the Whistles called an “odd” development.
This will be Robertson’s third Old Firm derby at the centre, with Nick Walsh announced to be heading up the VAR team – still a sensitive topic in clashes with Celtic.
Rangers finally find out referee v Celtic
In a move that was cut rather fine, four days before the biggest league fixture in Scotland, the SFA have now confirmed the team of officials.
The meeting at Ibrox will provide a clean slate and a new litmus test for a Rangers side who have rediscovered old unwanted wounds, which were appearing to gradually heal with an improved run of form.
The late defeat at St Mirren coupled with the backfired team selection and subsequent salvaging of a draw at Motherwell have been uninspiring for the supporters, who also had to suffer in the most soul-destroying way as Celtic wrestled the Scottish League Cup from their grasp.
Philippe Clement is under a new vein of pressure as Gers look to restore their season in what would be the most dramatic way possible.
And with a solely Light Blues crowd anticipated on Thursday, Robertson – and Walsh alike – will be keen to remain out of the spotlight and barely put a foot wrong at Ibrox.
In other Rangers news, Keith Jackson apologises for what he recently said about the club.
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