Celtic’s Scottish Cup semi-final against St Mirren at Hampden is already under scrutiny following the SFA’s referee appointment, with growing concern over the officials selected for the fixture.
The focus on officiating standards across the season has ignited a debate on the standard of referees and it appears that Celtic’s upcoming Scottish Cup fixture against St Mirren could leave the SFA wide open to criticism.
The key issue is not simply the fixture itself, but the appointment of an official that former SFA man Des Roache reckons has been ‘hung out to dry’.
VAR in Scottish football: incompetent refs, bad technology or both?
Celtic referee scrutiny vs St Mirren did not appear out of nowhere
The Scottish Cup semi-final being already under scrutiny reflects a wider pattern rather of how refereeing standards are being widely criticised this season.
Concerns have persisted around decisions throughout the season, with the same group of officials repeatedly involved.
That context explains why the latest appointment has not been accepted quietly, but instead questioned immediately.
Former referee Des Roache made that point clearly, stating that “We really need to stress this. This isn’t a personal dig at any of these guys [Walsh, Clancy. Beaton, McDermid], because they’re out there doing their best, obviously.
“But I think they are the guys, they are the names that not just us, but the mainstream Scottish media, the main fans all have questions about.
“They’re the guys saying decisions that have been made throughout the season, they’ve always been the contention.
“I’m sorry, I just think Matthew McDermid is being hung out to dry to do this. I just don’t think this is very appropriate for him. I think Matthew needs to be taken out of the limelight, and they’ve just flung him straight back in there.”
That assessment underlines a broader issue, where referee scrutiny is extremely intense this season and the SFA are not protecting them.
Celtic referee call leaves McDermid exposed
The decision to appoint Matthew McDermid has intensified that scrutiny rather than easing it.
This is not a criticism of the referee himself, but of the situation created around him by the governing body.
The warning is clear, with the focus shifting towards the SFA’s decision that placed him in this position.
By selecting an official already linked to wider concerns, the SFA has ensured the spotlight remains on the referee rather than the match.
The consequence is, the referee is now under pressure before a ball has even been kicked. The SFA has not just failed to quieten the noise, it has reinforced it through its own choice.
The scrutiny surrounding this semi-final is therefore not accidental, but the result of a decision that has allowed pressure to build ahead of the 2pm Hampden kick-off on Sunday.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
