The Scottish Football Association (SFA) has officially confirmed the refereeing team for Celtic’s Scottish Cup semi-final clash against St Mirren,
set for Sunday, 19 April 2026, with a 2pm kick-off at Hampden Park.
The tie brings together the Premiership leaders and a St Mirren side in confident mood after a series of competitive displays, including a narrow 1–0 league defeat to Celtic just days earlier.
However, attention has already drifted away from the pitch and toward the match officials, with the appointment sparking immediate debate among supporters—particularly within the Celtic fanbase—due to recent controversies involving the selected officials.
Full officiating team confirmed
According to the SFA’s official appointments list, the match will be overseen by:
Referee: Matthew MacDermid
Assistant Referee 1: Ross Macleod
Assistant Referee 2: David Roome
VAR: Kevin Clancy
Assistant VAR (AVAR): Chris Graham
The team will take charge of proceedings at Hampden Park, with live coverage set to be shown on Premier Sports. The announcement, published via the SFA website and quickly circulated across Scottish football media, comes ahead of what is expected to be a highly physical and emotionally charged cup semi-final.
MacDermid under the spotlight
At just 32 years old, Matthew MacDermid once again finds himself at the centre of scrutiny. He has already officiated three Celtic matches this season: a 2–0 defeat away to Dundee, a 4–2 win over Livingston, and most notably, the controversial 2–1 home defeat to Hibernian in February 2026.
That match remains a major talking point among Celtic supporters. In the 74th minute, defender Auston Trusty was dismissed following an incident involving Jamie McGrath during a corner-kick situation. While MacDermid initially allowed play to continue, VAR intervened and recommended a review at the pitchside monitor. After reassessment, the referee issued a red card, leaving Celtic to play the remainder of the match with 10 men in a game they ultimately lost.
The decision triggered widespread debate. Then-manager Martin O’Neill later questioned aspects of the explanation provided by officials, while pundits and former referees were split, with some arguing the dismissal was harsh and others defending the VAR intervention. The incident also came at a significant cost for Celtic, with Trusty subsequently suspended during a congested fixture period.
MacDermid has also faced criticism in other high-profile fixtures this season. In a Rangers vs St Johnstone cup tie at Hampden, confusion arose after his body language suggested a stoppage before a goal, prompting questions about communication with VAR. SFA Head of Referees Willie Collum later addressed several officiating concerns publicly, acknowledging errors in VAR processes across different matches and urging improvements in consistency and signalling.
Despite the scrutiny, MacDermid has also been involved in several St Mirren matches this season, giving him familiarity with the Buddies’ physical and organised style—an element that could prove significant in a tense semi-final environment.
VAR officials: Clancy and Graham
In the VAR booth, Kevin Clancy will oversee video review duties, assisted by Chris Graham. Clancy brings extensive experience in major Scottish fixtures, including derby matches and cup ties.
He was previously involved in a recent Old Firm encounter that ended 2–2, where a late VAR intervention for a handball incident resulted in a penalty decision that helped Celtic secure a draw. While welcomed by Celtic fans, it was strongly disputed by Rangers supporters.
Clancy has also officiated past Celtic vs St Mirren fixtures, adding further familiarity to the occasion. However, his VAR record—like many officials in Scotland—has drawn mixed reactions, with some decisions praised for accuracy and others criticised for inconsistency.
With VAR fully operational at Hampden, every major incident—goals, penalties, red cards, and offside calls—will be subject to real-time scrutiny, increasing the pressure on officials in what is already a high-stakes semi-final.
Why the appointment has sparked debate
The announcement has not gone unnoticed among supporters and media outlets. Celtic-focused platforms and fan discussions quickly highlighted MacDermid’s involvement in recent controversial decisions, particularly the Hibernian red card incident.
Some supporters have questioned whether officials with recent contentious history involving a club should be assigned to such a crucial fixture, while others argue the appointment is routine and part of standard referee rotation with no underlying bias.
St Mirren supporters, meanwhile, may view the officials more neutrally, given MacDermid’s prior involvement in their matches this season. Neutral observers continue to emphasise that Scottish refereeing, as a whole, has long faced scrutiny regarding consistency, communication, and VAR decision-making standards.
Build-up to a high-stakes semi-final
On the pitch, Celtic enter the match as favourites but not without concerns. A recent 1–0 league win over St Mirren highlighted their ability to grind out results, though injuries and squad depth issues remain a concern heading into the semi-final.
St Mirren, managed by Stephen Robinson, arrive with confidence and physical resilience, traits that have troubled Celtic in previous cup encounters. A disciplined, aggressive performance at Hampden could give them hope of an upset.
For Celtic, victory would keep their treble ambitions alive and maintain momentum in the title race. For St Mirren, it represents an opportunity to reach a major final and deliver one of the club’s most significant modern achievements.
Final outlook
As Hampden prepares to host another high-pressure semi-final, attention will inevitably extend beyond the players to the officials in charge. With VAR in operation and recent controversies still fresh in the memory of supporters, every decision is likely to be heavily analysed.
The SFA’s confirmation of Matthew MacDermid as referee, with Kevin Clancy on VAR, has therefore added an extra layer of tension to an already compelling fixture. Whether the focus remains on football—or shifts again to officiating—will depend on how events unfold on 19 April.
