Dundee’s cup clash with Celtic is to be the first in Scotland when vanishing spray will be used by a referee.
The spray will be introduced by the SFA for this weekend’s last-16 Scottish Cup ties, before it is rolled out across all of the country’s senior leagues and cup competitions.
Used by referees to help mark the required distance of 10 yards between the ball and opposition players from a set piece, vanishing spray caught the imagination of football fans around the world when it made its FIFA World Cup debut in Brazil last year.
It is now used in 13 countries around Europe, including England.
John Beaton will become the first referee to take to the field with the spray in a domestic match in Scotland when he officiates the Dens Park match at Saturday lunchtime.
The SFA will then introduce the spray to the Scottish Professional Football League, Lowland League and Highland League, including the promotion/relegation play-offs.
It will also be used in the Scottish League Cup and Scottish Challenge Cup.
The SFA’s elite referees trialled the spray at their recent winter training camp in La Manga ahead of its introduction for the second half of the season.
John Fleming, the SFA’s Head of Referee Operations, said: “Vanishing spray is a simple yet effective tool which will aid our referees in their management of set piece situations.
“Based on the current application and widespread use around the world, vanishing spray will undoubtedly enhance the reputation of our game.
“We are pleased to be able to roll the spray out across our senior leagues and cup competitions and look forward to seeing the benefits from this weekend in the William Hill Scottish Cup fifth round.”