Celtic have learned who will officiate their next two Scottish Premiership matches.
The Hoops welcome Motherwell to Parkhead on Boxing Day before St. Johnstone make the trip from Perth down to Glasgow this Sunday, December 29. Both games kick off at 3pm.
After a lacklustre goalless draw with Dundee United at the weekend, Brendan Rodgers and Co. will look to build momentum ahead of the New Year Glasgow derby at Ibrox on January 2 by taking maximum points from upcoming back-to-back home fixtures.
The first of the two, against Motherwell on Thursday, will be refereed by the relatively inexperienced Ross Hardie. He has only taken charge of a game involving the Bhoys once previously and will be assisted by Jonathan Bell and Gordon Crawford. Euan Anderson is on VAR, with Graeme Stewart providing support.
A few days later, when St. Johnstone come to Celtic Park, Matthew MacDermid is in charge. Frank Connor, who was famously the AVAR in the Premier Sports Cup final the weekend before last, will run the lines along with David Dunne. David Dickinson is on VAR, assisted by Graeme Leslie.
Celtic’s upcoming two matches, on paper, are routine. Rodgers’ men should be taking six points from six and going into the New Year derby feeling positive. Nothing in football, though, should be taken for granted.
