ANGE POSTECOGLOU has criticised the ‘theatre’ surrounding VAR, as the involvement of the technology in Celtic’s enthralling win over Hearts veered from tragedy to farce.
VAR played a central role in what was a hugely entertaining game in the capital, with referee Nick Walsh delaying the game on several occasions as decisions were reviewed by Steven McLean back in VAR headquarters in Clydesdale House.
The Celtic manager was less than impressed by the way those delays interrupted the flow of the game, but he also couldn’t understand why the official didn’t refer to the pitch-side screen when Hearts full-back Michael Smith handled the ball inside his own area.
“I don't like the whole theatre around it, there is too much emphasis on it and it takes too long to make a decision,” Postecoglou said.
“Obviously it is going to have teething problems and it is going to take a while for them to streamline that process and I do not like the standing about. I just think we are here to watch the football and not to wait for people to make decisions around things.
“Look, I thought we had a clear cut handball and penalty but apparently that's not good enough - what do I know? We haven't had a penalty all year and I keep hearing opposition managers saying we get everything. The only penalties we have taken so far this season have been in training.
“People assume that everything is going to be clear cut and I look forward to fellow managers accepting the fact that VAR is not going to be clear cut. That is the problem with it, people think it is going to clear everything up. It won't.
“There are still human beings involved in the process. I get it. I am probably a lone voice in terms of how I like it used. I just want minimal interference with minimal time because it is no secret that out football is based around playing the having the ball and playing the game for as long as possible. Standing around and waiting for stuff is not great but it is what it is.”
That impact VAR delays may have on the tempo his team likes to play at is Postecoglou’s main concern.
"It certainly is, mate,” he said. “That's why I was the least excited person about it.
“Look, some people enjoy it. I don't know, people will tell me it was entertaining standing about waiting for somebody to whisper something in somebody's ear. I can think of better forms of entertainment.
"But it is what it is. We expect it to have some teething problems. What everyone wants is that it's an aid to the referees and hopefully they get all the decisions right.
"But I felt we had a clear-cut penalty and we didn't get it so it doesn't mean it's fool-proof either.”
