The SFA has confirmed its officiating team for the upcoming League Cup final between Celtic and St Mirren, with Kevin Clancy appointed as the on-field referee for the Hampden showpiece.
His selection signals the SFA’s intention to put an experienced referee in charge of one of the biggest domestic matches of the campaign.
Clancy will be supported on the touchlines by assistants Calum Scott and Gordon Crawford.
Both officials have taken charge of multiple Premiership contests this season and arrive at the final with a solid level of experience in pressure environments. Their roles are critical in a match that tends to hinge on tight calls, especially given Celtic’s fluid attacking movement and St Mirren’s disciplined approach out of possession.
The use of VAR will once again be central to the officiating structure, with Don Robertson installed as the Video Assistant Referee.
He will oversee all reviewable incidents from Clydesdale House, supported by Matthew MacDermid as his assistant. Robertson has been one of the more prominent VAR operators since the system was introduced in Scotland, regularly appointed for high-stakes fixtures. His interpretation of key moments could carry real influence during a final where a single decision may shape the outcome.
These appointments come at a time when scrutiny on refereeing standards remains high across the Scottish game.
VAR continues to dominate discussion, whether through the speed of checks or the consistency of decisions, and cup finals invariably amplify that focus. With large audiences watching and the stakes at their peak, the officiating team will be aware of the need for clarity and accuracy throughout the ninety minutes.
For Celtic, the presence of Clancy will be familiar territory. He has overseen several of their domestic fixtures across league and cup competitions, varying in tempo and intensity.
The on-field dynamic often shifts depending on how early Clancy asserts his control, allowing the match to flow or tightening things up depending on the rhythm. Celtic’s attacking players, who rely on quick interchanges and movement between the lines, will look for a level of consistency that encourages fluidity while maintaining fairness.
St Mirren, meanwhile, will approach the final with a clear understanding of how they must balance aggression and organisation.
Their route to the final has been built on discipline, structure and well-timed pressing. The role of the assistant referees becomes particularly important in a match where offside traps, recovery runs and tight margins around the defensive line will be tested. Scott and Crawford will have significant decisions to make if St Mirren choose to squeeze the pitch and restrict Celtic’s forward runners.
Robertson’s involvement at VAR adds another layer to the officiating picture.
With the system now deeply embedded in Scottish competitions, teams are accustomed to the delays and adjustments that follow VAR intervention.
But in a final, emotions heighten, and any pause in play carries weight. Robertson will be expected to intervene only when necessary, ensuring a balance between correcting clear errors and maintaining the flow of the game.
MacDermid’s role is equally important, supporting quick checks and aiding communication from the operations room to the referee.
This final presents one of the most demanding environments for any Scottish official. From crowd noise to player intensity, every decision is magnified.
Clancy’s experience, combined with a strong officiating team around him, provides the SFA with confidence that the match will be handled with authority. Robertson’s presence on VAR reinforces that approach, offering a safeguard on decisive moments that could define the competition.
The officials will aim to stay out of the spotlight, but the nature of a cup final rarely allows that luxury. Every call, from early tackles to potential penalty incidents, will be dissected.
The SFA has opted for a team accustomed to high-pressure environments, and Hampden will offer the ultimate test of their composure.
