Referee Steven McLean has been warned that he faces officiating an "explosive" clash between Rangers and Celtic due to Michael Beale's need to win.
The Ibrox boss has yet to get a victory over Ange Postecoglou since stepping into the hot seat at Ibrox, having lost out on the Viaplay Cup to their rivals while being knocked out of the Scottish Cup in the semi-final by the Hoops. The showdown in Govan comes less than a week after Celtic secured their Scottish Premiership title victory with a win over Hearts, with former referees Steve Conroy and Des Roache admitting it could be a perfect storm for whistler McLean to deal with.
Conroy reckons the Light Blues will feel like they have something to prove when they take to the field in front of a raucous home support - with no Celtic fans set to be allowed inside the stadium with the away section closed for the clash. Speaking about McLean's role, he told T10 Digital: “I don’t think this was a time to bring in one of the up and coming refs. I think this has the potential to be quite explosive.
“I think mainly from Rangers because they have something to prove. They’re trophy-less and Celtic are visiting them in their first game since winning the title so I think it has all the potential to be quite an awkward one.
“Celtic are going for record points and goals scored but they’re only human and they’ve got a cup final in a few weeks. This isn’t the one you want to snap your cruciate or suffer an ankle injury.
“Rangers will be trying to prove something so that’s why it had to one of the experienced boys. I think Steven is a perfectly safe, stable pair of hands. You know you’re getting someone who’s not going to be flustered or influenced by anything outside.”
Roache added: “I think the fact that Michael Beale hasn’t beaten Celtic since coming back I think Rangers will be all blood and thunder.”
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