5 Willie Collum flashpoints as Celtic vs Rangers referee thrust back into derby spotlight

The SFA’s appointment of John Beaton for the last Old Firm derby was seen by some as the Hampden chiefs sending out a message they wouldn’t be dictated to when it comes to choosing their match officials for big games.

Beaton had come under fire when Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers named him in a furious rant following a Scottish Premiership defeat to Hearts at Tynecastle. And now, with Willie Collum being named as the man in the middle for Saturday’s derby at Parkhead it could easily be viewed as the SFA doing the same thing with Rangers.

It comes after Ibrox chiefs – not for the first time – made it clear they wanted Collum kept well clear of fixtures involving them following controversy during the last Old Firm derby at Parkhead during the festive period. But the SFA are backing their man as the 45-year-old takes charge of the biggest clash between the rivals since… well, since the last one. But there is a huge amount riding on this one with just three points separating the two sides at the league summit with three games to go. Here, Record Sport looks back at some of his most controversial moments.

This was the most recent row involving Collum and Rangers. The Ibrox club reacted furiously when Collum, on VAR duty, dismissed a possible penalty kick from Clydesdale House despite slow motion replays showing Alistair Johnston had handled the ball inside Celtic’s box. It was only after Collum’s intervention that subsequent graphics proved the award would not have stood in any case as Rangers striker Abdallah Sima had drifted offside moments earlier during the attacking phase of play (APP). But that didn’t stop Rangers demanding showdown talks with the SFA during which they called for Collum to be blackballed from