KEEP THE SCORE DOWN SPECIALIST CRAIG THOMSON will be in charge of Celtic’s Betfred League Cup semi-final against Comedy Club Sevco Rangers at Hampden Park on Sunday afternoon.
The 44-year-old referee will be assisted by David McGeachie and Alan Mulvanny with notorious Steven McLean as his fourth official.
The game is being beamed live by BT Sport and the whistler has already been involved in controversy with the broadcaster following criticism from Chris Sutton earlier in the season.
The former Celtic striker, who now works as a match summariser for BT, claimed Thomson had “bottled” it when he refused to show a second yellow card to Sevco Rangers’ Harry Forrester in the game against Dundee at Dens Park.
Forrester had been booked earlier in the encounter and was then involved in three flashpoint moments in the second-half with Sutton claiming they were all worthy of a booking – with the possibility of a straight red card for another.
Shortly afterwards, Thomson restarted Celtic’s league game against St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park early which knocked out BT’s advertising schedule and kicked off a new furore.
Ibrox boss Mark Warburton did not speak to BT before or after his side’s game in Inverness on Friday night.
It will be interesting to see what transpires at the national stadium on Sunday!
Kevin Clancy, who refereed last season’s final between Ross County and Hibs, takes charge of the other semi-final between Morton and Aberdeen at the same venue on Saturday.
Alastair Mather and Gordon Crawford have been named as his assistants with Euan Anderson the fourth official.
Thomson famously set out to ensure that Celtic would not add to their two first half goals the first time these clubs played each other in the semi final of the league cup in February 2015.
Meanwhile former Celtic skipper Andy Lynch’s autobiography is out this Thursday and there’s still time to take advantage of the great launch offer.
Just order Hoops, Stars and Stripes from CQN Bookstore (HERE) and you will automatically receive a signed copy plus a free copy (also signed) of Quality Street Gang by Paul Dykes. So both books cost just £14.99 plus p&p for the next few days.
Andy Lynch scored the winning goal in the 1977 Scottish Cup Final against Rangers (IL) from the penalty spot. Such is the sense of entitlement among the Ibrox support that they still challenge the validity of this award to this day.
Their player handled the ball on the goal line to prevent a certain goal. Controversial eh?
Anyway Celtic’s focus is on the Champions League, Sunday can wait…
