Trusty red card ref gets whistle for Celtic’s Scottish Cup semi-final

Celtic arrive at the national stadium on the back of an uncomfortable 1–0 win over St Mirren on Saturday at Celtic Park.

Martin O’Neill’s side will face the Buddies for the fifth and final time this season in what promises to be another narrow contest.

Matthew MacDermid has been appointed as referee for Sunday’s second semi-final, as confirmed yesterday via the official Scottish FA website. MacDermid will be assisted by Ross Macleod and David Roome, while Kevin Clancy will oversee VAR duties alongside assistant Chris Graham at Clydesdale House.

The 32-year-old official has taken charge of three Celtic matches so far this season. His first was a 2–0 defeat away to Dundee at Dens Park, followed by a 4–2 victory against Livingston – one of Wilfried Nancy’s only two victories as Hoops boss.

His most recent Celtic appointment came in February, when the Hoops were beaten 2–1 by Hibernian at Celtic Park. MacDermid sent Auston Trusty off for violent conduct and incorrectly failed to give O’Neill’s men a penalty moments later when Liam Scales was bundled down in the box.

Meanwhile, MacDermid has also officiated five St Mirren games this campaign, starting with a Premier Sports League Cup group-stage game against Livingston. He has since overseen fixtures involving Hibernian, Dundee, Hearts, and Dundee United.

Three of Celtic’s victories against St Mirren this season have been by one goal margins. The first came on the opening day of the season when Luke McCowan scored late on.

Callum McGregor’s stoppage time strike in Paisley back in November is up for Goal of the Season.

The exception was the disastrous Premier Sports League Cup final in December, when St Mirren claimed a quite comfortable 3–1 victory at Hampden under then-manager Stephen Robinson.

Conor Spence

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