SFA hand referee first Celtic match in nearly 9 months vs Dundee

By John McGinley

November 6, 2021

Scottish FA referee Alan Muir will take charge of a Celtic match for the first time in nearly nine months tomorrow.

Ange Postecoglou’s Bhoys play Dundee at Dens Park in the Scottish Premiership at Noon, just a couple of days after travelling back from Hungary in the UEFA Europa League.

Muir is rarely given a Bhoys assignment and hasn’t featured as a referee, assistant referee or fourth official at a Celtic match this season. Last week he took charge of Peterhead vs Montrose, so it’s a much bigger occasion live on television tomorrow.

The last time he officiated a Celtic game was against Aberdeen in mid-February, in a 1-0 home win at Celtic Park. Two yellow cards were handed out that day, both of them to Aberdeen players.

He blew the whistle 30 times, 18 of them against the Dons and 12 against Celtic. That’s a change from some of our recent matches, especially the one involving Bobby Madden at Pittodrie.

Ultimately if Celtic turn up and play to the best of their abilities then it shouldn’t matter too much how the referee performs on the day.

However, Scottish whistlers have been at the centre of controversy all season, so we can only hope Muir is up to the task and isn’t the centre of attention on Tayside.

David McGeachie and Ross Macleod will serve as assistant referees tomorrow, with Colin Steven in command of the touchline as the fourth official.

In other news, Celtic fear factor returns as Dundee player admits Bhoys star is “different class”.