Bobby Madden isn’t as detrimental to Celtic as some might think

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So Bobby Madden has been given the unenviable task of being Sunday’s referee.

Celtic vs Rangers isn’t a match that the ref can just forget about come full-time. It often results in a post-mortem of his performance and where he went wrong.

Fans of both sides will likely have let out a huge sigh when they heard Madden was the ref. Jock Stein’s famous quote of how if you’re good enough, the referee doesn’t matter is pertinent here.

And, when you look at the previous matches involving Madden and Celtic – Stein is still to this day spot on.

Over the last three seasons, Madden has managed to boss 16 Celtic games so far. Not one of them has ended in defeat. So far this season, the Hoops have a 100% record with games in which Madden was in charge. There’s only been four so far, but it still makes for good reading. That 100% record also stretches two years back.

In fact, the last time Celtic actually lost a game Madden was involved in was December 2015. That was a dreadful 2-1 home loss to Motherwell under Ronny Deila.

Clean sheet record

Better yet, we’ve actually not conceded a goal this season during games in which he’s taken charge either. In terms of bookings, Celtic have just three from Madden this year – two have been for Scott Brown.

In terms of games involving Celtic and Rangers, Madden only has three to his name. Rangers have never beaten Celtic under Madden – but two of the matches have ended in a draw. Those two games also came at Parkhead.

Madden is mostly remembered for Celtic fans for refusing to give us a penalty back in 2017 against Rangers. Leigh Griffiths was charging in on goal before being wiped out by Clint Hill. It was a stonewaller, but still Madden let it go.

Many Hoops fans have struggled to wipe that from their minds and for good reason.

Madden has also flashed nine red cards in 36 games this season. That stat doesn’t tell us much, but we have to hope he’ll be more strict than John Beaton was back in December – something Celtic were correctly vocal about.

It’s a big job for Madden on Sunday. He’s not the best ref in the country, but he isn’t the worst either. And our record under him could very well be a good omen for Rangers’ visit.