Rangers legend Mark Hateley has told referee Nick Walsh that "conspiracy theorists" will be all over any major VAR calls in the Viaplay Cup final showdown with Celtic.
The 33-year-old will be the man in the middle at Hampden as he makes a quickfire return to the national stadium having overseen Rangers' semi-final victory over extra-time, while John Beaton will be at Clydesdale House on VAR duty. It's set to be a blockbuster clash as the Glasgow heavyweights battle it out for the first silverware of the season, with Michael Beale looking to claim his his maiden trophy as Ibrox boss while Ange Postecoglou aims to keep the cup in the Celtic Park trophy cabinet.
In the Scottish Premiership, the introduction of VAR has been a major talking point amid several controversial calls, and Hateley reckons a microscope will be on any decisions made by Walsh and his officiating team. Speaking on the Get Involved Referee podcast, former whistler Steve Conroy claimed that a big call was "written in the stars" ahead of the blockbuster final. Hateley added: "Conspiracy theorists will be there, and they will be all over it.
