Given how crucial every league point and European advancement are to the team, Rangers cannot let the two games leading up to their Premier Sports Cup final versus Celtic divert them.
They also have an impact on Philippe Clement’s future as manager, but his prospects have improved as the squad’s quality has increased and the injured list has shrunk.
However, Rangers have found out who will officiate the match against Celtic at Hampden. Clement is aiming for his first Old Firm victory and second trophy as Light Blues manager.
Pressure is already mounting on John Beaton for the Rangers vs. Celtic final.
Since Willie Collum has hung up his boots, the SFA has chosen John Beaton, who has been the man in the middle for more derbies than any other current whistler, despite the lack of top-tier referees.
Beaton is already being scrutinised more than any other referee before the first whistle has even been thrown, and Brendan Rodgers’ remarks from the previous season cast doubt on the decision.
After losing to Hearts the previous season, Rodgers remarked, “I never like to comment on officials.” However, the on-field officiating today—John Beaton’s presence in VAR—was quite subpar.
That the decision-making is really shocking, and I am incredibly disappointed.
“You’ll probably need to ask John Beaton in VAR what he’s seeing because he’s probably seeing something different than everyone else if he’s seeing the handball and that risky move. Unless, of course, you have ties to Hearts. Simply said, I believe they are watching a different game.
The penalty for making a personal attack on a referee was a meagre one-match ban.
The Beaton conspiracy fires will soon be stoked by Chris Sutton fans.
Not just Rodgers, but other Celtics members have been outspoken in their condemnation of Beaton.
In addition to referring to him as “Brother Beaton” on what was now BT Sports, Chris Sutton has also implied that Beaton occasionally helps Rangers:
Prior to a 2020 derby, Sutton declared, “I’m looking forward to the big match.”
The odds are in Rangers’ favour because of Celtic’s injuries, and they naturally get their preferred referee.
After giving Rangers a penalty against Hibs in 2021, he also remarked to Ally McCoist in the same BT Sport debate, “What I would say about John Beaton is you don’t see a referee run to the away support and celebrate…” according to The Daily Record.
Now, what if the referee was under this pressure and the other way around?
