Murray to ref Falkirk v Rangers

adamhigginsuk
Aug 12, 2014
2 min read

Giving the signal: Murray will be making the decisions when the Gers meet Falkirk in the first game of the weekend (Picture from the Scottish FA.com)

RANGERS' televised trip to Falkirk in the Scottish Championship on Friday night will be refereed by Calum Murray.

The 47-year-old, who is currently the oldest match official in Scotland, will take charge at the Falkirk Stadium as both sides search for their first win of the new league campaign.

He will be assisted by Joseph Lawson and Marc McHendry with Kevin Graham assigned the role of fourth official.

Murray has already produced eight yellows and two red cards in his three games in all competitions so far this season.

He dismissed Berwick's Paul Currie in their 2-1 defeat to Morton in the first round of the League Cup before sending off St Mirren defender Jim Goodwin as they lost 1-0 to Motherwell last Saturday in their opening Premiership match.

Murray also took charge of a 3-1 win for Hearts over Annan Athletic at Tynecastle on 26 July in the Petrofac Training Cup first round.

Last season, he refereed 35 games in all competitions, dishing out 102 yellow cards and only one red card whilst awarding eight penalties.

His last match involving Rangers was their 2-1 League Cup exit at Forfar during extra-time at Station Park a year ago.

The Livingston-based whistler, who has been an SPL Category One referee since 2000, is no longer considered a regular in the Scottish top-flight but still has a vast amount of experience in the lower divisions.

He has received many high-profile appointments including several Old Firm and Edinburgh derbies as well as the 2011 Scottish Cup final as Celtic beat Motherwell 3-0 at Hampden Park.

Murray, whose other occupation is a systems developer, also spent eight years on the Fifa list until 2013 before reaching the automatic retirement age of 45. The Gers are looking to bounce back from their 2-1 defeat to Hearts on the opening weekend while Peter Houston's Bairns - who are also expected to challenge for promotion - could only draw 2-2 at relegation-threatened Cowdenbeath. The 19:45 BST kick-off will be screened live on BT Sport 1/HD on 15 August.