The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Beaton will be holding the cards in city derby
As the first Dundee derby of the season nears, anticipation is building for an entertaining game in front of the Sky Sports cameras.
One man who might not be able to enjoy the game as much as others is the referee.
With midfield powerhouses such as Calum Butcher for United and Dundee’s Sean Byrne likely to feature, we could be in for a blood and thunder clash.
It’s up to the man in the middle to restore order on the field and the Scottish FA has announced that will be up to John Beaton.
He will be supported by assistants Graeme Stewart and Dougie Potter, while Don Robertson is the fourth official.
Regarded as one of the top whistle-blowers in Scotland, Beaton was selected to be a Fifa-listed referee in 2012 and can officiate at the highest level of the sport.
This weekend’s game will be the third city derby the 39-year-old has taken charge of.
His last Dundee derby was the thrilling 2-2 draw at Tannadice in August 2016, with James McPake scoring a last-gasp equaliser. Prior to that he took charge of the 3-1 Dundee win at Dens Park in April 2015.
While many fans will want to see a competitive but flowing game of football, with Beaton in the middle that may not happen.
Last season he dished out the most cards of any Scottish referee, with 135 yellows and five reds issued in the 35 games, in all competitions, he refereed.
The 2019-20 season saw him make 104 bookings and send off four players in the 29 games he took charge of.
So far this season he has blown the whistle in nine games and has already brandished his yellow card 40 times, while sending one player for an early bath.