Willie Collum is set to officiate Saturday’s eagerly anticipated Glasgow Derby, marking his return to the fixture after a two-year absence. This assignment comes as a significant development in the SPFL Premiership title race, with the outcome of the match likely to have a major impact on the standings.

Having seen Don Robertson, Nick Walsh, and John Beaton take charge of previous encounters this season, it’s now the turn of Scotland’s most seasoned referee, Collum, to oversee the proceedings. His presence on the pitch signals a crucial juncture in this heated rivalry.

Collum’s involvement in the December clash on VAR duty sparked a wave of criticism from the Ibrox camp, prompting calls for his exclusion from future matches involving Phil Clement’s team. Recent reports from The Sun highlight Rangers’ formal request to the SFA, urging for Collum to be barred from officiating their matches due to alleged errors in the previous encounter at Celtic Park.

While the SFA has refrained from commenting publicly on the matter, tensions remain high between the club and the refereeing authorities. Despite this, Collum has recently been on the sidelines for a Scottish Cup tie at Ibrox and served as Fourth Official in a recent thrilling 3-3 draw at the same venue.

With Steven McLean taking up VAR duties and Robertson acting as the fourth official for the upcoming game, all eyes will be on how Collum manages the high-stakes clash. As Collum steps back into the spotlight for this crucial derby, the stage is set for another chapter in the ongoing drama between the teams vying for Scottish football supremacy.