WILLIE COLLUM will take charge of this evening’s powder-keg Europa League quarter-final between Valencia and Villarreal at the Mestalla.
Valencia are firm favourites to progress from the all-Spanish showdown after claiming an impressive 3-1 victory in the away leg last week, with a Goncalo Guedes brace and Daniel Vass’ strike cancelling out Santi Cazorla’s penalty-kick.
While often maligned in Scotland, Collum remains highly-rated in the corridors of power at UEFA. This will be his seventh European assignment this term, having overseen four Champions League encounters and two fixtures in the Europa League.
Collum is no stranger to the business end of this tournament. He was the man in the middle for last season’s semi-final first leg between Marseille and Salzburg, which the French side won 2-0 on their way to the final in Paris.
The Scottish whistler will be assisted by compatriots David McGeachie and Francis Connor, with Bobby Madden and Nick Walsh acting as additional assistant referees. Graeme Stewart has been named as fourth official.
