Referee McLean set for Dundee derby
- adamhigginsuk
- Sep 16, 2014
- 3 min read
Experienced: Despite being only 33 years old, McLean has officiated many high-profile games since becoming a Category One referee in 2007 (Picture from Sport XL.org)
THE first Dundee derby of the season in the Scottish Premiership will be officiated by Steven McLean, the SPFL have confirmed.
The 33-year-old will take charge as the newly promoted Dark Blues put their unbeaten start to the campaign on the line against European challengers United at Dens Park on Sunday.
He will be assisted by linesmen Willie Conquer and Frank Connor for the lunchtime kick-off, to be televised live on Sky Sports.
Fellow Category One referee Don Robertson has been assigned to fourth official duties.
McLean has already overseen seven domestic games so far this season, including four in the Scottish top-flight. He has produced 18 yellow cards and awarded one penalty but is yet to send a player off.
The Lanarkshire-based whistler has made huge strides in the past 12 months, culminating in his first appointment to a national cup final in the League Cup in March as Aberdeen beat Inverness on penalties at Celtic Park.
He made an assured Edinburgh derby debut in May 2013 and has also handled several New Firm and Highland derbies in the league with minimal difficulty.
McLean, who is the brother of former Dundee United defender Brian, is now seen as a senior official having been entrusted with various key matches in the 2013-14 campaign.
Among 42 games across all competitions, he oversaw Hearts’ 2-0 win over Hibs in March, Celtic’s title clinching victory over Partick Thistle as well as the League One play-off second leg between Dunfermline and Cowdenbeath.
Overall, McLean brandished 108 yellows and six red cards as well as pointing to the penalty spot on 12 occasions last term although his strict card-happy nature has somewhat diminished since the start of his top-flight career in May 2010.
The qualified fitness instructor, who is also a Referee Development Officer within the SFA, along with Craig Thomson, steadily established himself as a regular in the SPL with a talkative but heavy handed approach.
He was selected for his first high-profile match at the national stadium in January 2012 when handling an Ayrshire derby in the League Cup semi-finals as Kilmarnock beat Ayr United after extra time at Hampden Park.
As well as being lifted up the pecking order in Scotland, his notable improvement in recent times has led to further recognition on the European and international stages.
Before Sunday’s encounter, McLean - a Fifa official since 2010 - will travel to Azerbaijan to take control of a Europa League group stage match between Qarabag and French outfit St Etienne on Thursday night.
Paul Hartley’s Dundee have won two and drawn four of their six league outings while Jackie McNamara’s United side have lost just once so far, racking up four wins before last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Hamilton Accies.
The last meeting between the sides, a hotly contested 1-1 draw in the SPL in March 2013, was refereed by Bobby Madden.
The two Tayside rivals also meet in the Scottish League Cup third round at Tannadice next Wednesday, 24 September.
Elsewhere, Willie Collum will take up the whistle for the televised Friday night encounter at Firhill when Partick Thistle host struggling St Mirren, live on BT Sport.
On Saturday, Aberdeen’s clash with pointless Ross County will be refereed by Craig Thomson, Kevin Clancy is the man in the middle for leaders Hamilton at home to Kilmarnock and Calum Murray will be on duty for Inverness against St Johnstone in the Highlands.
Sunday’s only other game between champions Celtic, who are in European action on Thursday in Austria, and Motherwell will be officiated by Brian Colvin at Celtic Park.
Last updated: 16 September 2014 17:10pm
Comments