SFA confirm match officials for Celtic’s Premier Sports Cup showdown with Rangers

The SFA have confirmed the experienced 35-year-old as referee for the first Glasgow derby of the season, with Frank Connor and Daniel McFarlane appointed as his assistants and Kevin Clancy named as fourth official.

Andrew Dallas will oversee VAR alongside assistant Steven McLean for what promises to be a huge occasion as Martin O’Neill and Derek McInnes go head-to-head in the fixture for the first time.

Walsh is Scotland’s only referee currently holding UEFA elite status and is no stranger to the derby, having officiated two meetings between the sides last season.

He was in the middle for Celtic’s 3-1 extra-time victory over Rangers in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final at Hampden, when he sent off Thelo Aasgaard, before also overseeing the Hoops’ 3-1 Premiership triumph at Celtic Park in May.

Across those two encounters, Walsh showed a total of 17 yellow cards in addition to Aasgaard’s red.

Sunday’s cup tie was not originally expected to be the first derby of the campaign, with Celtic and Rangers already scheduled to meet at Parkhead on September 20.

However, the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final draw paired the rivals together at Ibrox a week earlier, adding an extra derby to the calendar.

Celtic will make the trip across Glasgow without any travelling support, with no away fans permitted at Ibrox for the clash.