The Scottish League Cup final will feature Glasgow’s big two, Celtic and Rangers, battling for the season’s first silverware at Hampden Park next Sunday.
The officials for the clash have now been confirmed by the Scottish Football Association on Friday.
- Referee: John Beaton
- Assistant Referees: David McGeachie and Jonathan Bell
- Fourth Official: Steven McLean
- VAR: Alan Muir
- AVAR: Frank Connor
This will be Beaton’s second derby in a row, having been the man in the middle for the derby at Celtic Park in September. It’s quite unusual for a referee to get this game twice in a row.
The final is set for a 15:30 kick-off.
Celtic stormed into the final with a commanding 6-0 victory over Aberdeen in the semi-final, while Rangers edged past Motherwell 2-1, coming from behind.
This will be the second meeting between the two sides this season, with Celtic claiming a 3-0 victory at Celtic Park in September.
The final carries extra significance beyond the trophy itself. Both clubs currently sit on 118 major honours, and the winner will move one ahead to 119, further stoking the flames of this age-old rivalry.
Celtic fans have not missed the opportunity to point out the implications of the result, cheekily suggesting that Rangers may have to adjust their claims of being the “most successful club in football” should the Hoops emerge victorious.
Celtic fans will remember the last time that the sides met in May, where a late goal from Adam Idah secured a 2-1 victory and capped a double-winning campaign under Brendan Rodgers.
While Rangers are the defending League Cup champions, having beaten Aberdeen in last year’s final, the pressure is on Philippe Clement to deliver silverware and halt Celtic’s domestic dominance.
