Hibs learn referee for St Mirren trip as whistler handed Scottish Premiership debut and experienced ref gets Hearts game

Hibs have learned the match official team for their trip to St Mirren on Saturday, with referee Graham Grainger making his Scottish Premiership debut as the man in the middle.

The whistler has taken charge of 59 matches including 43 in the Scottish Championship, League One, and League Two combined with the remainder coming in the Scottish Challenge Cup, Scottish Cup, and Scottish League Cup competitions.

The Renfrewshire-based official has risen through the ranks, being promoted from Category 2 Development to Category 2 in February 2018, then to Category 1 Development in May 2019 and finally Category 1 in May 2020.

In Grainger’s 59 matches as a referee he has shown 163 yellow cards, seven reds, and awarded 13 penalties.

He has served as fourth official in two Hibs matches, coincidentally both against St Johnstone last season as he kept order between the dugouts for Hibs’ 2-1 win in Perth in November 2021 and a goalless draw at Easter Road in March.

He will be assisted in Paisley by David McGeachie and Gordon Crawford, with Kevin Clancy on fourth-official duties.

Hearts, meanwhile, will have John Beaton taking charge of their Scottish Premiership home game against St Johnstone on Sunday. The 40-year-old will be assisted by Ross Macleod and Graham McNeillie, with Euan Anderson appointed fourth official.

Don Robertson has been handed the Jam Tarts’ Premier Sports Cup last-16 tie against Kilmarnock with assistant referees Frank Connor and Colin Drummond, and fourth official Chris Graham, making up the rest of the matchday officials.