Hibs have learned the refereeing appointment and match official team for their Scottish Cup quarter-final clash with Rangers this coming Sunday. 

The Easter Road side has had a well-documented running battle with whistlers in recent weeks, with David Munro and Kevin Clancy finding themselves the subject of Nick Montgomery's ire after controversial VAR incidents in the 2-2 draw with Aberdeen, and 1-1 draw with Hearts. 

Neither will be involved in the last-eight encounter this weekend, however, with Steven McLean named as the man in the middle, with David Roome and Jonathan Bell appointed assistant referees. Chris Graham is the fourth official while Steven Kirkland is on VAR duties supported by Daniel McFarlane.

McLean has taken charge of just two Hibs games so far this season; the 2-2 draw with St Mirren at the SMiSA Stadium in November, in which he booked three Buddies and two Hibs players, and January's 3-0 home defeat by Rangers which produced just one caution for Élie Youan. He controversially sent off the Frenchman during last season's 3-1 defeat by Celtic at Parkhead for two bookable offences.  

The official also incurred Montgomery's wrath in Paisley earlier this season after awarding a penalty to the hosts for Jordan Obita's foul on Richard Taylor at a corner. Speaking afterwards the Hibs head coach said: "If that's a penalty, there's going to be ten penalties every game. A 6ft 5in player falls to the ground with minimal contact. I'm looking forward to getting some decisions moving forward."

McLean was less involved as Philippe Clement's side recorded a comfortable win in the Capital in the first league game back after the winter break, ruling out Tom Lawrence's strike for offside but otherwise avoiding the limelight. 

VAR Kirkland, however, came in for criticism from former Grade 1 referees Steve Conroy and Des Roache for failing to advise McLean to review his decision to award Rangers a penalty during their 2-0 victory in West Lothian in November.

He also advised Munro to review a penalty incident involving Luis 'Duk' Lopes during Hibs' 4-1 defeat at Pittodrie in November 2022, but pundits including former Hibs midfielder Marvin Bartley, and current Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell, felt the officials had got the decision wrong. 

Speaking afterwards, then Hibs boss Lee Johnson bemoaned not only the call, but the length of time taken to review the incident.

"The delay and the timing, especially when you've got momentum, is frustrating. Of course, if you look at it enough times, you'll find a way to say it's a penalty. That's how I see it, particularly when it's slowed down, and it was ridiculous how long it took," he said. 

"That proved to me it wasn't clear and obvious and at that point the game's got to move on. I think there were nine extra minutes played in the first half. They've got to be quicker. I know it's new but they've got to be quicker and brighter. If it's not clear and obvious, then it's not a penalty - but they want to play the game because they've got a new toy."

Hibs v Rangers kicks off at 5.30pm on Sunday March 10 at Easter Road.