World Cup Final referee to handle LASK v Celtic clash in Linz
Celtic arrived in Austria yesterday afternoon comfortable in the knowledge that they hold a healthy 3-0 lead going into the second leg of the Champions League Playoff tie with Austrian Champions LASK…
A stunning effort from Benjamin Nygren, and a just as impressive brace from Camilo Duran has Celtic firmly in the driving seat, and a disciplined performance is required in Austria.
Celtic took our chances brilliantly while LASK squandered theirs in what was an evenly contested match, with the scoreline reflecting the quality of Celtic’s finishing more than overall dominance in the football match.
The UEFA officials named for tonight’s clash are certainly top drawer. One of European football’s most experienced referees will oversee this vital clash that will be worth £40 million to the overall winners of the tie.
The man tasked with overseeing proceedings is Polish referee Szymon Marciniak, who is best known for for taking charge of the 2022 World Cup final between Argentina and France.
Marciniak has never took centre stage of a Celtic fixture before, but was one of the assistant referees for the 1-1 draw with Stade Rennes in the 2011 Europa League group stage match.
The 45 year old official also took charge of Scotland’s dramatic World Cup qualifying win over Denmark back in November, a result that guaranteed the Scots a first World Cup finals spot since 1998.
Marciniak will be assisted by fellow Polish officials Tomasz Listkiewicz and Adam Kupsik in Linz this evening. Meanwhile Pol van Boekel of the Netherlands will oversee the VAR side of things, supported by Pawel Malec.
Tonight’s man with the whistle averages 4.08 cautions a game, and 0.10 reds.
Having an experienced official overseeing proceedings in such a massive game is certainly a bonus, but with Celtic holding such a commanding lead, it’s all down to the players selected on the night, and not the officials.
The first game at Celtic park passed without incident, with only one caution being brandished to LASK’s Kasper Jorgensen who was booked midway through the second half.
Celtic are likely to be unchanged from the team that started last Wednesday night at Celtic Park, although there is an outside chance that Auston Trusty will not be deemed as 100% after suffering from an upset stomach yesterday morning and that could see Liam Scales coming in at the left hand side of Celtic’s central defence.
Trusty though should make it, so expect an unchanged Celtic side for the match that kicks off at 8pm in the Raiffeisen Arena in Linz.
COYBIG
