Why John Beaton appointment is double-edged Rangers sword vs Celtic
Derek McInnes' side are looking to record back-to-back wins over Celtic for the first time since March 2025.
With the Parkhead outfit currently sitting five points clear of Gers, three points would be huge for the Bears.
But with no away supporters inside Celtic Park on Sunday, the task awaiting McInnes' men is a sizeable one.
As a result, any little advantage to be found or positive omen to see is welcome for Rangers ahead of it.
And in the appointment of Beaton as referee, the Gers will see both opportunity and concern.
What is Rangers' record with John Beaton as referee?
Starting his refereeing career in 2001, Beaton was promoted to the SFA's senior list in 2005.
A FIFA-listed referee since 2012, the 44-year-old Glaswegian is one of the most experienced and recognisable officials in Scottish football.
Because of this, he's been taking charge of Rangers games for many years and has had the whistle in his hand for 59 Gers matches, as per Transfermarkt.
From those 59 games, the Bears have won 38, drawn 10 and lost 11, but are currently enjoying a strong vein of form with him in the middle.
Rangers have lost just one of their previous eight matches in all competitions with Beaton as referee, with that loss coming against Hearts this May.
He's only ever shown one red card to a Rangers player too in his career, which is remarkable considering he's brandished 103 yellows.
So, they are likely in safe hands with Beaton regarding keeping a full complement of players on the pitch in this latest Old Firm clash.
However, what is his record like when refereeing Celtic?
Why Beaton's Celtic record doesn't make for good Rangers reading
Celtic, like Rangers, have seen plenty of games of football with Beaton in the middle.
And if Gers thought their record with him was strong, they need think again when it comes to Celtic's.
Beaton has refereed the Hoops on 66 occasions, with Celtic winning 50 of those, drawing 12 and losing just four times.
However, two of those rare non-victories have come in their last five with him as referee, the latest being a 2-2 draw with Rangers in March this year.
The other coming in Celtic's 2-1 defeat to Dundee United in December last year, so for their standards, they're not in great recent form when it comes to Beaton.
So, with Rangers enjoying the stronger recent record with Beaton but Celtic historically more successful, a fascinating subplot has been set up for Sunday.