Hoops boss Rodgers ‘comfortable’ with Old Firm referee
BRENDAN RODGERS insists he’s ‘comfortable’ with John Beaton refereeing tomorrow’s Old Firm clash despite the Celtic manager’s scathing criticism of the official after last month’s defeat to Hearts at Tynecastle. The Northern Irishman was handed a one-game touchline ban, with one match suspended, for stating that Beaton’s ‘incompetence’ as VAR that day had resulted in two key decisions going against his side. Rodgers was outraged that winger Yang Hyunjun had a yellow card upgraded to red for a high tackle on Alex Cochrane, and was equally upset about a penalty being awarded against Tomoki Iwata for handball.
Both decisions came after Beaton suggested that match referee Don Robertson should review the incidents on his pitchside monitor. Rodgers is adamant, however, that he has no issue with Beaton being in charge at Ibrox this weekend. He said: ‘For John to be given the game, these games are for the top referees, and I’ve always said that John Beaton is one of the top referees in the country. ‘He’s been allocated the game. I’m comfortable with that. He’s refereed games that have been there before. ‘My point (after the Hearts defeat), like I said before, was for that one game. I wasn’t talking about John Beaton’s career as a referee. My gripe was on that day.’ Rangers boss Philippe Clement insists he is feeling no pre-match nerves. ‘I’m excited about it, I’m looking forward to it,’ the Belgian exclaimed. ‘This is something you need to embrace, not be nervous about. These are great afternoons.’ Clement is confident that his players can reach ‘another level’ as Scottish football’s big two lock horns with just a point separating them at the top of the table.