Russell Martin to be livid at SFA announcement ahead of Rangers vs Celtic
Russell Martin faces a tough task when Rangers face Celtic on Sunday.
Former Southampton manager Martin’s Rangers reign is under huge scrutiny already after a dismal run of results.
Rangers have drawn their opening three Scottish Premiership matches, leaving them six points behind their Old Firm rivals.
Rangers need to win against Brendan Rodgers‘ side, but that may be a challenge after a new SFA announcement was made.
Don Robertson appointed as referee for Celtic vs Rangers
Expectations were high when Martin took over at Rangers due to the takeover by 49ers Enterprises and Andrew Cavenagh.
However, those have very quickly been dampened, and the referee appointment for the Old Firm will not increase them.
Don Robertson has been handed the reins for the Celtic Park clash, with Daniel McFarlane and Chris Rae assisting him and Andrew Dallas as VAR, as confirmed by the SFA on Tuesday.
Rangers have a bad history with Don Robertson
Robertson has been in the centre for some controversial decisions that have gone against the Gers in matches with their local rivals.
In a league clash in September 2023, he disallowed a Kemar Roofe goal through VAR intervention, and the Light Blues went on to lose 1-0.
Many observers felt that there was no reason for VAR to intervene as the decision was not a “clear and obvious” error.
Then in January 2025, Robertson booked Nico Raskin for a half-time incident with Callum McGregor in the Gers’ 3-0 win, but did not book the Celtic man for his role in the altercation, when he was already on a yellow card.
There was also an elbow by Alistair Johnston on Ianis Hagi, which somehow went unpunished by Robertson.
- Robertson has refereed Rangers on 55 occasions
- The Gers have won 34 of those games
- Three red cards in those matches
That was perceived as an inconsistency and a double standard, and Martin will be keen for there to be none of that when the sides meet again.
His future in the dugout in Govan could depend on winning against Rodgers’ side, so the referee’s previous decisions against the Gers in previous meetings will be on his mind.
He will be livid if anything goes against his side that is contentious, as it could put his stint in Scotland in serious jeopardy.
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