The mood around Celtic rarely stays quiet for long, especially at this stage of the season when every detail begins to feel magnified.
A narrow 1–0 win over St Mirren at Parkhead should have brought a sense of calm. Three points secured, momentum maintained, and focus shifting naturally toward the next challenge.
But instead of relief, there is a growing sense of unease.
Because just as attention turned to the Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden, something else dropped into the conversation. Something that Celtic fans have not taken lightly.
And it came straight from the top.
The Scottish FA has now issued official confirmation regarding the match officials for Sunday’s semi-final clash between Celtic and St Mirren.
Matthew MacDermid has been appointed as referee for the tie, with Ross Macleod and David Roome assisting. VAR duties will be handled by Kevin Clancy, supported by Chris Graham.
It is a straightforward update, the kind that usually passes without much noise.
But this time, the reaction has been different.
Because for many Celtic supporters, the appointment has brought back memories that are still fresh.
MacDermid has already taken charge of three Celtic matches this season. There has been a defeat away to Dundee, a win over Livingston, and then a match that still sits heavily in the background, the 2–1 loss to Hibernian at Celtic Park.
That afternoon was defined by key moments. Auston Trusty was sent off for violent conduct, leaving Celtic with a difficult task. Soon after, Liam Scales went down inside the box, but no penalty was awarded. The rhythm of the game changed completely after that.
Those incidents have not been forgotten by the support.
So when confirmation arrived that MacDermid would again be involved in a major knockout tie, it was always going to trigger debate among fans.
Not because it guarantees anything, but because trust becomes fragile in matches of this magnitude.
At the same time, there is no escaping the reality of what awaits on the pitch.
Celtic and St Mirren have already produced tight encounters this season. Three wins for Celtic, all narrow, all decided by fine margins. Each one requiring moments of quality just to get over the line.
Then there was the exception. The 3–1 defeat at Hampden earlier in the campaign, a result that still lingers in the memory and serves as a reminder of how quickly control can disappear in knockout football.
That is what makes this semi-final so unpredictable.
Because while attention naturally sits on the players and the performance, the build-up has already been shaped by something else.
An official confirmation that has stirred frustration among sections of the Celtic support.
And a sense that, heading into Hampden, everything is being watched a little more closely than usual.
As Sunday approaches, the tension continues to rise. Celtic know they must focus on their own performance, take chances when they come, and avoid letting the game drift into uncomfortable territory.
But the conversation has already begun elsewhere.
And in matches like this, that noise never fully disappears.