SFA president George Peat has called into question the courage of a Celtic “source” who criticised refereeing decisions made in games involving the Parkhead club. BBC Scotland quoted a Celtic source who said that the club had analysed games from this season, including both matches against Rangers, and expressed concerns about major decisions that had gone against Celtic.

The Parkhead source also said that Scottish officials had wrongly penalised Celtic striker Robbie Keane because the striker was too quick.

"Officials are struggling to keep up with his pace," the source claimed. "Several key offside decisions have gone against him purely because of his speed."

SFA president Peat released a statement through the Press Association casting doubt on the source and said their comments could not be treated seriously because they remained anonymous.

"We find it disappointing and somewhat bizarre that, in the build-up to an Old Firm derby, an unnamed Celtic 'source' would seek to exert additional pressure on match officials by issuing ill-timed and fundamentally inaccurate comments,” he said.

"The validity of these comments is questionable in any case, since the 'source' is not courageous enough to put his name to them.”

Peat said that talks had taken place with Celtic but would not discuss the topic or the content of the discussions.

"In actual fact, discussions between the Scottish FA and Celtic have taken place but the contents of these discussions will remain private, as was agreed with the club,” he added.

"I am sure the Celtic chief executive, Peter Lawwell, will be concerned by the fact that someone has elected to speak on behalf of his club, seemingly without consent, and therefore undermined his authority."

A number of high-profile decisions have seen refereeing standards called into question this season, with the SFA’s own Head of Refereeing Development, former whistler Hugh Dallas having criticised his former colleagues over poor performances. The controversy will add to the pressure on Dougie McDonald, who will referee the Glasgow derby on Sunday.

The last two old Firm encounters have not been without incident. During the game on January, a goal by Marc-Antoine Fortune was ruled out after referee Steve Conroy said the Celtic striker had fouled Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor. In the previous match in October, Celtic had a number of penalty appeals denied by match official Craig Thomson, who later admitted he had made mistakes during the game.