In a highly anticipated clash at Celtic Park this Saturday, Celtic and Rangers are set to face off in the second Glasgow Derby of the season.

With stakes high and the title race tight, the appointment of officials for this pivotal match has drawn significant attention, especially among the Celtic faithful.

Nick Walsh has been confirmed as the man in the middle, with Willie Collum overseeing the VAR. This selection has stirred a mix of reactions, particularly from Celtic supporters who have voiced growing concerns over the standard of officiating in the Scottish Premiership.

Their anxiety is partly rooted in the statistical anomaly surrounding Rangers’ remarkable run of 73 games without conceding a penalty, despite numerous contentious incidents in their box. Conversely, Celtic fans have observed what they perceive as a lower threshold for penalties awarded for the Ibrox club, with incidents like shirt tugs leading to spot kicks for their Glasgow rivals.

The absence of away fans at the stadium adds an additional layer of intensity to the fixture. The all-home crowd is expected to create a cauldron of noise and support for Celtic, but also magnifies the scrutiny on the officials’ decisions.

As the game approaches, the spotlight isn’t just on the players and coaches but also on Walsh and Collum.

Fans and pundits alike will be watching closely to see how the game is managed and whether the officiating can stand up to the high-pressure environment of a derby that could significantly influence the title race. Amidst the excitement and tension, the hope is for a fair and competently refereed match that allows the football itself to be the day’s main story.