Collum will take charge when Rangers visit Celtic Park on Sunday

Willie Collum will become one of the youngest referees to take charge of an Old Firm game after being chosen for the season's first derby on Sunday.

The 31-year-old, who handled his first senior game in November 2004, is in the spotlight as Rangers visit Celtic Park.

His appointment comes a month after he took charge of his first Champions League match, overseeing Copenhagen's 2-0 win away to Panathinaikos.

Collum has also refereed international and Europa League matches.

He took charge of his first Scottish Premier League game in April 2006.

I think the younger referees are now coming through to the top level Scottish Football Association head of referee development Hugh Dallas

The Old Firm derby will come a week after the latest controversy to engulf Scotland's top referees.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon and Dundee United counterpart Peter Houston both criticised Dougie McDonald's performance in the Glasgow side's 2-1 victory.

Lennon was angry that McDonald had overturned his decision to award a penalty after consulting his linesman.

Houston described the referee's performance as "below average" and suggested that McDonald should not have awarded the spot kick in the first place.

But Scottish Football Association referees' chief Hugh Dallas, who took charge of his first Old Firm game at the age of 38, thinks that Collum's appointment is proof that the standard of officials is improving in Scotland.

"I think the younger referees are now coming through to the top level and we see a young referee taking charge of the first Old Firm game of the season," he told BBC Scotland.

"It's his first Old Firm game on Sunday and that is a young referee who only seven or eight years ago who was operating within the youth academy, so it augers well for the future."

Holders Rangers travel across Glasgow on Sunday as league leaders, but only thanks to having scored one extra goal.

Walter Smith's side and their city rivals both have 100% league records this season after eight games.

Indeed, Lennon has led his Celtic side to 16 straight victories since taking over, initially as caretaker, following the sacking of Tony Mowbray last season.

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