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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Ewan Paton

Kevin Clancy to referee Celtic vs Rangers as VAR officials are confirmed

The referee for this Saturday's Celtic vs Rangers derby clash has been revealed.

Kevin Clancy will take charge of the powderkeg fixture between Glasgow's big two.

The experienced official will be the man in the middle and will be assisted by David McGeachie and Ross Macleod, with John Beaton appointed as the fourth official.

Nick Walsh will be on VAR duties, alongside assistant Daniel McFarlane.

The teams will meet for the fourth time this season at the weekend, although will only be the third time in league business.

Ange Postecoglou's men are nine points clear at the summit of the Premiership. They will be looking to put the league title out of sight with a win on their own patch in the east end of the city.

A victory would move the league leaders within three wins of their 53rd title win.

However, a victory for Gers would spark fresh life into the Ibrox side's hopes of pulling off a stunning comeback under Michael Beale.

The derby game will kick off at 12.30pm on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Chris Sutton has slammed Rangers for the away fan shutout during derby clashes with Celtic.

The ex-Hoops striker has blasted the Ibrox club for the "shameful" approach to the matter.

The Gers will have no vocal backing from their support after both clubs shut the doors on away ends at both grounds amid safety concerns with reduced allocations.

Celtic and Rangers allowed around 800 away punters into their respective stadiums in recent years in the wake of Ibrox chiefs slashing the traditional 7500 capacity in the Broomloan Stand in Govan.

In response, Celtic hit back by cutting Rangers' allocation on their home patch too.

The sides are said to be locked in a ticket stalemate, with Celtic wanting a return to the old numbers and Rangers are unwilling to budge on the reduced capacity.

Sutton said: “I don’t like the fans’ situation at all. It’s rubbish for Scottish football. I think having no away fans is rubbish for the perception of Scottish football. It’s absolutely ridiculous.

“When I first joined Celtic, going to Ibrox and having 7500 behind the goal and likewise when Rangers came to Celtic Park made it a far better spectacle. It’s shameful and a really bad look for Scottish football around the world.

“I just think it’s petty, and it’s something Rangers really need to sort out. I can’t see the upside over all this? What is the benefit of banning away fans from the fixture?"

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