Celtic v Falkirk officials confirmed as manager questions VAR decision

Tension is already mounting ahead of this weekend’s Scottish Premiership meeting between Celtic and Falkirk, with John McGlynn launching a pointed criticism of the Scottish Football Association and calling for a late rethink over the match officials.

The issue surfaced soon after the SFA confirmed its appointments for Saturday’s fixture at Celtic Park. Ryan Lee has been named as referee, with Jonathan Bell and Dougie Potter running the lines, while VAR responsibilities fall to Chris Graham, assisted by Greg Aitken at Clydesdale House.

Rather than settling matters, the announcement has stirred unease within the Falkirk camp. McGlynn has questioned the decision in strong terms, casting doubt over Lee’s suitability and urging the governing body to reconsider.

Speaking ahead of the match, the Falkirk manager made his feelings clear.

“I’ll be honest I’m extremely disappointed with this referee appointment. For a game of this size, this decision is simply not good enough.”

“We’ve seen this referee before, and I don’t trust his ability to handle a match like this fairly. That’s the reality. My players deserve better, this club deserves better, and the supporters certainly deserve better.”

“I’ve raised my concerns with the SFA, because staying silent would be accepting something I believe is wrong. This is a crucial match, and yet we’re being put in a position where the focus is already shifting away from football”

“Let me be clear we will still go out and fight, but confidence in the officiating is not there. And that’s a serious problem”

While stopping short of direct accusations, McGlynn’s remarks point to a lingering distrust shaped by previous encounters.

On the pitch, Celtic enter the contest in a commanding position, having beaten Falkirk three times already this season, scoring nine goals across those meetings. Two of those victories at Celtic Park were emphatic, underlining the scale of the challenge facing the visitors.

Lee has overseen fixtures involving both sides this term, including Celtic’s 4-0 win over Falkirk earlier in the campaign. Falkirk’s record under his watch is more mixed, though that has done little to ease McGlynn’s concerns.

With kick-off set for 5:30pm, attention will fall as much on the officials as the football, with the SFA yet to respond publicly to the calls for change.