BY ALAN TEMPLE – Capital City Press
The referee who was in charge the last time a Scottish side shocked the World will oversee this evening’s mouth-watering clash with Germany.
Dutch whistler Bjorn Kuipers was the man in the middle when Celtic claimed a famous 2-1 victory over European giants Barcelona thanks to goals from Victor Wanyama and Tony Watt.
As one of the finest results in the Hoops’ continental history, it was arguably highlight of Neil Lennon’s reign at Parkhead and paved the way for them to reach the promised land of the Champions League last 16
Gordon Strachan will hope that 2012 triumph proves a good omen, with the odds similarly stacked against his players against the reigning World champions at Hampden tonight.
With Scotland’s Euro 2016 hanging by a thread following defeat in Georgia, Kuipers’ appointment is an indication of the importance of the fixture.
He is one of UEFA’s top officials and has took charge of the 2014 Champions League final between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, Chelsea’s Europa Cup final win over Benfica in 2013 and the last Confederations Cup final.
Kuipers will be assisted by compatriots Sander van Roekel and Erwin Zeinstra, with Pol van Boekel and Richard Liesveld acting as additional assistant referees. Charles Schaap will be the fourth official in Glasgow.
