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Daily Record
Sport
Peter Davidson

Every pundit on VAR OUT list as Rangers and Celtic legends unite over technology

VAR has united Scottish football fans this season and it is no different in the pundit game with former Celtic and Rangers players calling for it to go.

The use of video technology was introduced in late October and there hasn't been a weekend that has gone by without controversy. From dubious handball decisions to ludicrous red cards being shown, we have had it all so far this season and we still have nine games still to play. The Scottish Premiership has taken a break for the Euro 2024 qualifiers but that hasn't stopped the conversation rumbling on over VAR.

Last weekend saw a number of high-profile which resulted in Dundee United bosses calling for a summit on the use of technology. United boss Jim Goodwin was left raging as his side dropped points due to a penalty given for an alleged foul by Loick Ayina on Curtis Main which he felt was soft. Sky Sports pundit Kris Boyd mocked the offside lines in the Motherwell v Rangers game, Hibs CEO Ben Kensell asked for an explanation over the sending off of Elie Youan in their game with Celtic, while Derek McInnes raged at why Killie didn't get a penalty when St Johnstone defender Andy Considine clearly handled the ball.

Clubs seem to have reached breaking point and they are not the only ones.

So, who has come out against VAR and called for it to be scrapped?

Ally McCoist

The former Rangers player and manager said he looked forward to VAR being introduced in the Scotland but revealed it has gone wrong and wouldn't mind if it was pulled.

He said: "I think it's been a bumpy ride everywhere. I'll be brutally honest with you, I thought it would be a great thing. I did. I thought anything that rights a wrong must be a good thing. But I've changed my mind. It's driving me crazy. It wouldn't disappoint me if we didn't see it again."

Peter Grant

The ex-Celtic midfielder said he was never in favour of VAR being introduced in Scotland and revealed it would be a "nightmare". He told Go Radio: "I said it would be a nightmare for the game up here. For goal line technology, yes, but for nothing else."

Craig Moore

The former Gers standout said money spent on VAR should be used for grassroots football across the country instead. He said: "Whatever the amount of money that has been thrown at VAR, take that money and invest it in the heart and soul of this country. What I mean by that is we are hearing about all these grassroots facilities. Prices are going through the roof and the kids not potentially being able to be involved in sport."

Barry Ferguson

Ferguson said he has changed his mind on the technology and said he wouldn't mind if the authorities decided to scrap it after the weekend fixtures in the Premiership. He said: "This has got to have been the worst weekend in terms of decisions. I can't disagree. I would be more than happy if it was pulled."

John Hartson

Hartson has been critical of VAR but fallen short of calling for it to be halted. The former Celtic and Wales legend called for Scottish referees to be punished for bad decisions. He told Go Radio: "I think the more important issue is there has be retrospective action against referees who make serious errors of judgement. Referees get things wrong, and all of a sudden they are back in work next week. They have to take action, and maybe if they did they would think twice about doing the job more professionally, because they realise they won't get paid for three weeks.

"I don't know if you have to ship all 10 or 12 referees in Scotland out and bring new ones in. I think that it's going to be very difficult to change the standard of refereeing. I think that's difficult."

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