Former top Scottish referee Hugh Dallas is becoming Turkish TV star - but is making a pit stop home to cover Celtic’s UEFA Youth League match against Real Madrid.
Dallas was previously head of referees in Scotland as well as deputy referees development officer at UEFA. But now he has made the move to Turkey, signing a one-year deal to train Turkish officials. The whistler is also now the frontman on a new television show on beIN that analyses big refereeing decisions.
But today he is back in his homeland to cover the young Hoops' European clash, reports Scottish Express Sport. The 64-year-old is in the country to fill the role of the referee's observer for today's under-19s match between Celtic and the La Liga side. The match takes place at Airdrie's Excelsior Stadium in a group stage clash that mirrors the first team's blockbuster opener to their 2022/23 Champions League campaign.
The ex-No.1 ref certainly has a busy schedule, working with the Turkey's federation refs chief Murat Ilgaz on the new television show which aims to dissect all the key moments in the big Turkish Super Lig matches.
The whistle blower has obviously been forgiven for awarding Italy a controversial penalty against Turkey at the Euros back in 2000.
Dallas also worked at two World Cups - in 1998 and 2002 - appearing as the fourth official at the 2002 grand finale when Brazil beat Germany to win the tournament for a record fifth time. Other notable jobs include when he took charge of the 1999 UEFA Cup Final between Parma and Marseille.
Infamously, the top ref was struck by a coin during an Old Firm clash back in 1999. The game saw Dick Advocaat's Rangers side win the title.
And the issues didn't stop at the final whistle, with Dallas later having the windows at his home smashed. In the aftermath it was decided Old Firm games would not start at 6pm and largely they have been lunch-time kick-offs since.
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