Hibs v Aberdeen: Referee who has sent off 3 Hibs players in 14 games handed Sunday clash

Nick Walsh has been tasked with overseeing Hibs' home clash with Aberdeen on Sunday, August 30.

The 29-year-old referee takes charge of his first league game involving the Capital club since December last year when he sent off Ryan Porteous in a 3-0 defeat to Rangers at Easter Road.

The centre-back became the third Hibs player to be shown a red card by the official in just 14 matches, after Marvin Bartley got his marching orders in a 2-1 home win against Ayr United in September 2016, and Darren McGregor saw red in a goalless draw with Morton in March 2017.

Walsh’s last match involving Hibs was the 5-2 Scottish Cup quarter-final victory against Inverness Caledonian Thistle in February, during which he booked six players, sent one off, and awarded a penalty which Paul Hanlon missed.

The referee has had an eventful start to the 2020/21 Scottish Premiership campaign, cautioning five players, dismissing another, and awarding two penalties in just two matches.

In the 79 Scottish Premiership matches he has overseen to date, he has booked 306 players, sent off 12, and pointed to the spot on 24 occasions.

Walsh is assisted by Calum Spence and Dougie Potter, while David Dickinson will handle fourth-official duties.