BREN CALMS BEATON ROW

BRENDAN RODGERS is adamant he has no issue with John Beaton refereeing tomorrow’s Scottish Premiership title showdown between the Old Firm at Ibrox.

The Celtic boss gave a withering review of Beaton’s performance the last time the official was involved in a Hoops match.

Rodgers (left) ended up with a one-match touchline ban for his comments following the 2-0 defeat at Hearts after saying he had witnessed “incompetence” from the officials.

Beaton was on VAR duty that day and was namechecked by Rodgers after a match in which he played a part in flagging up the incidents that led to the sending-off of Hyun-jun Yang and then a penalty award against Tomoki Iwata.

Rodgers, however, insisted he was “comfortable” with the choice of referee for the clash with Rangers.

“These games are for the top referees and I’ve always said that John Beaton is one of the top referees in the country,” said the Hoops manager.

“He’s been allocated the game, I’m comfortable with that. He’s refereed games that have been there before.”

The Northern Irishman insisted that his comments after the Hearts game related to that match only.

“I wasn’t talking about John Beaton’s career as a referee,” he added.

“My gripe was on that day. They will feel they have to appoint someone who is experienced and John is one of the top experienced referees in the country.”

Rangers boss Philippe Clement insists the game will not be decisive in terms of the title race.

The Light Blues are one point behind reigning champions Celtic with a game in hand.

They have already lost twice to the Bhoys this term, going down 2-1 at Celtic Park in December in Clement’s first experience of a Glasgow derby.

There will be another Old Firm clash at Celtic Park after the split.

However, the Belgian coach said: “It is not yet a decisive game. So whoever wins is not champions. It is not like that.”