Some Celtic fans have been left fuming as referee Kevin Clancy has been named as the official for the club’s upcoming Old Firm derby clash.
Both sides have met each other twice in all competitions this season. The first game involving them finished 2-0 in Celtic’s favour as Jonny Hayes scored, with Odsonne Edouard also having scored to help the Hoops win the derby.
The other game involving them was played early this month and it was the League Cup final at Hampden Park. Celtic rode on a Christopher Jullien goal to pick up their 19th League Cup title triumph in history.
Celtic fans: Do you rate Clancy?
He's useless!
He's not that bad
But some Celtic fans aren’t happy that Clancy has been handed the game at the weekend.
A cowardly ref who shys away from making any real decisions. Great
— Greg Martin (@gregmartin19) December 23, 2019
Career ladder Clancy will give Celtic nothing as always.
— Barrhead Bhoy (@Barrhead_Bhoy67) December 23, 2019
Same Kevin Clancy who got demoted after his ridiculous display in the Hibs v Celtic game earlier this season?
— Paul McQueen (@queenmachine67) December 23, 2019
Worst of the lot.
— Celtic Fanz8ne (@celticfanzone) December 24, 2019
Unbelievable what the SFA will do to stop the Bhoys winning
— Catherine Gibb (@wothersp00n53) December 23, 2019
He’s absolutely rotten
— Steven (@spamcrolla) December 24, 2019
As things stand, Celtic are the top of the Premiership table and recently increased their lead at the top of the pile to five points. They beat Aberdeen 2-1, thanks to goals from Ryan Christie and Odsonne Edouard. Rangers play Kilmarnock on Thursday and they will look to cut down the gap to two points once again.
As for Clancy, he is currently 36 and has refereed a total of 36 games in all competitions this season. Nine of those 36 games have come in the Premiership. And three of those nine games have been Celtic games.
The Hoops have won two and have drawn one of the three games Clancy has refereed in this season. As for Rangers, they have had Clancy referee two of their games this season and they’ve won both of them by a 1-0 margin.
Clancy has given out 91 yellow cards this season, brandishing three straight reds and two second yellow cards.
What do we think?
It would be unfair to criticise the referee even before the game starts. This is a heated rivalry and emotions can spray to all directions.
In his career, Clancy has refereed 35 Celtic games – the most for any club. They have lost two, drawing five. As for Rangers, Clancy has refereed 27 Gers games.