Hugh Keevins expressed his dismay over the perceived unfair decision by the SFA to appoint John Beaton as the referee for the Rangers versus Celtic match set to take place on Sunday, April 7th.
Appearing on Clyde 1 Superscoreboard, Keevins, a journalist with the Daily Record, discussed the swirling controversy surrounding Beaton’s appointment, which has lasted over 40 hours. He highlighted the concerns raised by many who fear that Beaton may show bias towards Rangers in the upcoming Old Firm game.
Addressing the unfolding conspiracy theories, Keevins lamented the situation, questioning the reasoning behind Beaton’s selection and showing sympathy towards the referee. He stressed the injustice of subjecting Beaton to such intense scrutiny and criticism just before the crucial match at Ibrox.
Keevins shared his reservations, expressing, “We’ve seen 40 hours of controversy since the referee was appointed. I believe it is unfair to John Beaton because people are convinced he will favor Rangers over Celtic.”
He also expressed confusion over the suspicions surrounding Beaton, highlighting the challenges the official has faced in relation to the fixture in the past. Keevins questioned the wisdom of inviting such speculation and regretted the decision to assign Beaton as referee, as it could damage his reputation and integrity.
The debate surrounding John Beaton’s appointment for the Rangers versus Celtic game has sparked discussions on the appropriateness of the SFA’s choice. Amid the recent controversies involving Brendan Rodgers’ disciplinary actions after criticizing officials, Beaton’s assignment has added another layer of scrutiny to the referee.
Recognizing the immense pressure referees face in high-profile matches, the decision to entrust Beaton with officiating duties has increased the stakes, leading to heightened attention and criticism. Concerns have been raised about controversial calls potentially impacting the match outcome, with hopes for a fair and clean contest without contentious decisions or excessive VAR interventions.
As the highly anticipated match draws near, the focus should ideally center on the on-field action and the battle between the two rivals, emphasizing the spirit of competition and integrity in the race for title contention.
