Ex-Rangers striker Kris Boyd has landed a pre-Old Firm dig on Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers.
The former Ibrox striker didn’t mince his words just as news breaks that controversial referee John Beaton is appointed to take charge of the upcoming Old Firm clash.
Celtic manager Rodgers has just served a one-game touchline ban for singling out Beaton following a bruising defeat against Hearts at Tynecastle.
Branding the whistler and the referee team “incompetent” on the day, the situation adds an extra dimension to the hotly anticipated Scottish Premiership clash.
With John Beaton on VAR duties in Edinburgh that day, the referee is now set to take charge of Rangers v Celtic with Nick Walsh to be the man in front of the VAR screen.
And that’s precisely why Boydy has taken aim.
Kris Boyd brands Brendan Rodgers “lucky”
Speaking as part of a Sky Sports preview for the match between Rangers and Celtic, Kris Boyd claims Brendan Rodgers is “lucky” to even be in the dugout for the match.
When Chris Sutton pointed out that Brendan Rodgers has a strong record v Rangers, Boyd responded: “He’s lucky to be there might I add.”
This is in reference to the SPFL’s two-match suspension which was handed to Brendan Rodgers last week.
The Celtic manager was banned for one match, with another suspended, meaning Rodgers sat in the stands v Livingston but will be in the dugout for the trip to Rangers.
It will also be the final time that Ibrox will see a full-house of Rangers fans for an Old Firm after an agreement was struck with Celtic over allocations ahead of next season.
John Beaton to take charge of Rangers v Celtic
The SFA have also named the refereeing team ahead of the clash at Ibrox and naturally it’s not been without controversy.
John Beaton being named as the referee has obviously made headlines with many Celtic fans adamant there is some kind of pro-Rangers conspiracy at the heart of Scottish football.
Willie Collum – who has been subject to some major criticism from Rangers this season – is also named as the 4th official.
Daniel McFarlane and Dougie Potter have been named as the assistants, whilst Nick Walsh is the man on VAR.
