John Beaton has been appointed referee for Celtic’s Premiership meeting with Rangers at Celtic Park on Sunday 20 September 2026.
The Gers travel to Glasgow’s east end for a fixture that always carries extra weight, and Beaton’s presence in the middle will shape how strictly the game is policed.
Supporters can find further detail in our referee appointment news ahead of the Scottish Premiership return.
Official Match Officials Lineup
The full officiating team for Celtic Park has been confirmed as follows.
- Referee: John Beaton
- Assistant Referee: David McGeachie
- Assistant Referee: Jonathan Bell
- Fourth Official: Ryan Lee
- VAR: Nick Walsh
John Beaton Season Statistics
John Beaton has taken charge of four Premiership matches so far this season, and his card count has already climbed quickly.
His full record for 2026/27, alongside his complete previous-season totals, is set out below.
| Metric | 2026/27 Total | 2026/27 Per Match | Previous Season Total | Previous Season Per Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matches Refereed | 4 | – | 20 | – |
| Yellow Cards | 22 | 5.50 | 80 | 4.00 |
| Second Yellow Cards | 1 | 0.25 | – | – |
| Red Cards | 0 | 0.00 | 3 | 0.15 |
| Penalties Awarded | 0 | 0.00 | 8 | 0.40 |
The early-season yellow card average of 5.50 per game sits well above last season’s full-year figure of 4.00 per game, though the sample of four matches is still small.
Club Records Under John Beaton
Beaton’s history with both clubs shows a clear gap between the two sides’ results when he has taken charge.
| Club | Matches | Wins | Draws | Losses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Celtic | 9 | 7 | 1 | 1 |
| Rangers | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
Celtic have won seven of their last nine matches with Beaton in the middle, losing just once. Rangers’ record over their last eight games under the same referee is more mixed, with four wins, two draws and two defeats.
Tactical, FPL and Betting Impact
Beaton’s rising card average this season is worth noting for anyone assessing how open or stop-start Sunday’s derby might be.
Twenty-two yellows in four matches points to an official who is currently quick to reach for his pocket, which could suit a Rangers side looking to break up Celtic’s rhythm without picking up unnecessary bookings of their own.
FPL managers with defenders or midfielders in this fixture should factor in the higher card rate when weighing yellow card risk, particularly for players who pick up regular bookings for tactical fouls.
The near-total absence of penalties in his current sample, just one across 24 matches spanning this season and last, suggests spot-kicks have not been a regular feature of his games, though that record can change quickly in a fixture of this intensity.
Celtic’s strong historical record with Beaton refereeing will offer them some reassurance, while Rangers will be encouraged that their own figures under him, four wins from eight, are far from one-sided.
Much may still depend on how Rangers set up defensively, an area covered in our look at recent defensive tactical adjustments, given how discipline and structure tend to go hand in hand under officials with a high card average.
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