BBC Scotland are trying to push the claim that John Beaton favours Celtic!
It is as if the state broadcaster is sharing content with the most vile of Ibrox message boards.
Beaton detests Celtic. He has been that way since his school-days. The evidence is out there as are the stats and incidents from his refereeing career.
Willie Collum’s occupation as an RE teacher, not just a school-teacher was immediately public knowledge when he reached the top flight in refereeing.
Even when Beaton is out boozing it up in the Crown Bar, Bellshill after a Glasgow Derby there appears to be a legacy media embargo on his background.
Since Albion Rovers were denied a Scottish Cup win at Ibrox in 2014 there has been a distinct pattern to decisions made by the Lanarkshire referee.
Knowing that detail Willie Collum has allocated Beaton five SPFL Premiership matches in 2026. Three of them have involved Celtic.
BBC AND BEATON
No one can blame him for missing the handball from Dujon Sterling in the Glasgow Derby.
What can be questioned is the three minute VAR review before reluctantly awarding a penalty. And the decision not to book Sterling, stoppage time as Celtic chased a winner seemed to evaporate.
And just 13 days later Collum put him in charge of another Celtic match.
Three Celtic players were given cheap bookings before the 72nd minute penalty decision.
Beaton was perfectly positioned to see Emmanuel Longelo wrestle Maeda to the ground as the striker waited at the back post to knock into an empty net.
Beaton decided that it wasn’t a penalty. Fortunately Kevin Clancy in the VAR studio has a grasp of the Laws of the Game.
A VAR review was eventually called. Again Beaton painstakingly reviewed the incident. There was no way out, penalty to Celtic and a red card for Longelo. Tomas Cvancara put Celtic 2-1 in front.
Emmanuel Longelo red card 🟥
Penalty for Celtic pic.twitter.com/cRW7otTnvV
— Goals Xtra (@GoalsXtra) March 14, 2026
AN EASY DOUBLE DECISION
It was a clear penalty and red card. The biggest question is why Beaton didn’t instantly award it. He was within 10 yards of the incident, no-one obstructed his view.
His body language as play was paused, his walk to the VAR monitor told you everything about his feelings. As sickened as he was at Ibrox on March 1 when he returned to the pitch to award Celtic a penalty.
BBC Scotland saw things differently. Their live reporting captures their raw emotions, their instincts.
On their live blog BBC Scotland were very selective with the comments to highlight
Mark
Scottish VAR is a joke. If that tussle between Daizen Maeda and Emmanuel Longelo was the same thing in the other box, it would be brushed over. Absolutely ridiculous to see a penalty and a red.
Findlay
Worst red card decision you will ever see, never a red card.
Darth
Only Celtic can get a penalty award like that. Maeda messes up a diving header, referee sees it and gives a goal kick.
No need for VAR to get involved whatsoever!
That’s also ignoring the claim Motherwell had for a two-handed shove in the back that wasn’t even looked at.
Watch out for Mark, Findlay and Darth joining Alasdair Lamont, Kenny Macintyre, Jane Lewis, Tom English and Steven Thompson live on air in the coming weeks.
Discussing Motherwell Martin Dowden’s match report claimed:
At half-time they had nearly 60% possession. They just lacked a degree of cutting edge or this outcome could easily have been different.
Celtic struck the post with a shot from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain then saw the ball roll along the line. Earlier Ben Nygren had stalled on a one-on-one.
The half time score-line of 1-1 was a fair reflection of the first 45 minutes.
Celtic dominated the second half, took risks and got their rewards. Despite Beaton’s keen-ness to book their players and waving play-on when Motherwell players were putting the boot in.
FOLLOW FOLLOW- A PATTERN IN REPORTING
The coverage of today’s match from BBC Scotland follows on from the post match scenes at Ibrox.
Every deflection tactic in the book is being used.
Barely a mention of the on pitch attacks on Julian Araujo and a member of the Celtic coaching staff.
Likewise the flares and missiles launched into the Broomloan Road Stand by Ibrox fans that came from three sides of the stadium.
On Sunday BBC Scotland will provide radio commentary as Danny Rohl’s stars visit St Mirren.
Songs of hate banned by UEFA will be heard loud and clear. There won’t be a comment or apology from the BBC commentary team. Mark, Findlay and Darth may well be in with the away fans.
So far no images and requests for information on the Ibrox pitch invaders has been made public. Many will be in Paisley tomorrow.
