Ange Postecoglou is no fan of the theatre of VAR but what did you make of the system’s big debut?
KEITH JACKSON: The big Aussie nailed it on Friday when he said he hoped it wouldn’t even have to be used. Sadly, he’s not been here long enough to know better. As expected, VAR hit Scottish football like a tornado over the weekend. What we need now is the calm after the storm.
MICHAEL GANNON: There were a couple of teething problems, such as Nick Walsh not letting the play going on and then taking a peek, but in the most part it was fine. Officials just need to remember it’s for clear and obvious mistakes, not a cop out to check every single big decision.
CRAIG SWAN: Inconsistent and too slow. They need to sharpen it up if it is going to be a success. They deserve time to do so because it’s new for all officials, but it has to happen.
FRASER WILSON: It will never take the controversy out of big decisions. The Michael Smith ‘handball’ was blatant for some but ‘not a handball under the FIFA guidelines’ for others. Overall not the worst start and it’s here to stay so maybe a little bit of support would be good.
Gio van Bronckhorst insists he’s still got the backing of his players but should he be on borrowed time with the board?
KEITH: It could be reasonably argued that a dysfunctional board is a major part of his problem. But that doesn’t explain why his players appear to be downing tools around him. The Dutchman will be an easy sacrifice if he’s on the end of another Champions League walloping in Naples.
MICHAEL: He is on borrowed time. The fans have lost patience and the performances are getting worse. Van Bronckhorst is in a deep hole and it’ll be an incredible turn of events if he can claw his way out.
CRAIG: Van Bronckhorst is having a bad spell, but a board would not be doing their job if they were not constantly assessing their manager. At any club.
FRASER: Van Bronckhorst needed a big, dominant win against Livi to start a week where he could turn the tide back in his favour. He’s now facing huge pressure going into Napoli and Aberdeen clashes. The board must be considering their options.
How will Rangers, Celtic and Hearts fare in Europe this week?
KEITH: Rangers already look like a side on a hiding to nothing against Napoli. But Shakhtar and RFS at home will give both Celtic and Hearts their best chance of three group points, with the Jambos already having beaten their rivals away.
MICHAEL: Rangers fans might need to watch from behind the couch. Celtic need to be careful against a lethal counter-attacking Shakhtar side. Hearts will get a boost from the Hoops and shouldn’t accept any less than a victory.
CRAIG: Celtic and Hearts can get home wins against Shakhtar and RFS, but it’s a big ask for Rangers to get anything out of Napoli and a fifth group defeat is looming for the Light Blues.
FRASER: I fancy Celtic strongly against Shakhtar and Hearts really need a morale-boosting win over RFS but with injuries might have to settle for a draw. It looks like Rangers are on damage limitation duty in Naples.
Aberdeen made it three wins in six days and now sit third - do you fancy the Dons to finish best of the rest?
KEITH: Hearts proved at the weekend that they are still a force to be reckoned with despite losing at home to Celtic. Over the course of the campaign they should have enough to secure a third placed finish. But Aberdeen are most certainly moving in the right direction again.
MICHAEL: They look capable. There are goals in this Dons team and the great thing for Jim Goodwin is they look like there’s more to come as well. They could be the side to beat.
CRAIG: Yes. Hearts were always going to find it tough with Euro competition and extra games and the rest don’t look solid enough squad-wise to stay the course.
FRASER: There’s goals galore in this Dons side - 42 in 17 games so far this season. The problem is the lack of clean sheets at the other end and Jim Goodwin has acknowledged that. But right now I fancy them to nick third.
