Did John Beaton Get It Wrong? Key Calls in Celtic vs Rangers

John Beaton Takes Charge of Derby Action

Rangers made it back-to-back derby wins over Celtic, with Derek McInnes overseeing another significant afternoon in the dugout. Amid the celebrations, though, the performance of referee John Beaton drew plenty of scrutiny from both sets of supporters.

Four flashpoints stood out from the ninety minutes. Former grade one referee Des Roache reviewed each of them for the Daily Record, offering his verdict on whether Beaton got the calls right.

You can read his full breakdown in the Daily Record referee assessment.

For the wider context of how the win unfolded, our derby match report detailing the win covers the goal and the key moments, while a separate piece looks at Derek McInnes securing back-to-back derby victories.

Emmanuel Fernandez Yellow Card on Camilo Duran

Fernandez was booked early on for hauling back Camilo Duran as the Celtic winger looked to break forward. It was the kind of cynical tug that referees are told to punish, and Beaton reached for his notebook without hesitation.

Roache backed the call, pointing out that the position on the pitch mattered as much as the foul itself. According to the former whistler, quoted by the Daily Record: “Correct yellow card. Ball wide and not obvious goal scoring opportunity.”

That distinction is key under the laws of the game. A foul that denies an obvious goalscoring opportunity can mean a straight red card, but with Duran wide and not clearly through on goal, a yellow was the correct outcome.

Fans can catch up on Emmanuel Fernandez’s recent performances for Rangers for more on his form this season.

Emmanuel Fernandez Challenge on Benjamin Nygren

The more contentious moment involving Fernandez came later, when he clattered into Benjamin Nygren. Beaton opted to wave play on rather than reach for a second yellow, a decision that left Celtic players furious in the moment.

Roache took a firmer line than the referee did on the day. Speaking to the Daily Record, he said: “Could easily have been a caution. Enough for a second yellow. Lucky to escape it. For me it’s a clear foul and a cautionable offence. Therefore it’s a second yellow and a red card.”

That is Roache’s assessment rather than an established fact, and Beaton’s on-field call stood at full time.

It was 50/50 and a risk that Fernandez shouldn’t have taken, so soon after his initial yellow.

However, Beaton judged that the Nigerian international took enough of the ball and the play continued.

We possibly got away with one.

Auston Trusty Disallowed Goal and Liam Scales Offside

Celtic thought they had found a route back into the game when Auston Trusty turned home from close range, only for the flag to go up against Liam Scales. Replays showed Scales was ahead of the last defender as the free-kick was delivered.

Roache had no doubts about the decision: “Correct offside call on Scales. Clearly offside when the free-kick is taken.”

No doubt about this one.

Rangers Disallowed Goal for Arm Ball Contact

The final flashpoint went against Rangers. A well-taken finish by the impressive Olwethu Makhanya was chalked off after the ball was judged to have struck the scorer’s arm in the build-up, denying what would have been a memorable moment for the South African.

Roache again sided with the officials on this one: “Great finish but the ball strikes his arm and the player scoring benefits from it. Correct no goal.”

It was a shame but Makanya’s arm came up to strike the ball. Correct decision.