The SFA are set to take the wrapping off VAR in time for Christmas and it can’t come soon enough for Scottish football fans. The technology might not be a cure to all refereeing ills but punters would certainly rather have it in place.
It comes after Rangers’ penalty award against St Mirren at the weekend came under scrutiny – just the latest decision to go under the microscope this season. Craig Gordon from Ayr provoked a response after hitting out on Sunday’s Hotline at the spot kick for Declan Gallagher’s challenge on Antonio Colak, claiming the Ibrox side are consistently awarded more spot kicks than their rivals.
That prompted one caller, who must have plenty of time on his hands, to delve into his archive and get out the calculator to provide a definite answer on that very point. Andy Scott, Edinburgh, said: “After reading the angry and ill informed rant from Craig Gordon in Ayr, I thought I would add some reality to the discussion on penalties awarded. I'm sorry to be the one who shatters his illusion of persecution but since 2001/02 Rangers have been awarded 14 more penalties than Celtic, over 17 seasons, when both were in the same league. That equates to less than one more per season. Hardly cause for concern let alone proof of an agenda against Celtic. Perhaps Mr Gordon should become acquainted with the benefits of factual evidence prior to his next missive.”
One man who wants VAR sooner rather than later - it could be in place by the end of this month - is Andrew Lamb, Fraserburgh, who said: “How on Earth can either Celtic or Rangers be prepared to take on class sides in Europe after taking on the hammer throwers of Perth and Paisley? That's Tom Lawrence already knobbled and out until Christmas. Hopefully VAR will see some of these hammer throwers regularly red carded.”
It’s a huge week in Europe for both Celtic and Rangers after a dramatic weekend domestically, with the Hoops putting on a late, late show to grab victory at the death against St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park while the Light Blues swatted aside St Mirren.
John Melrose, Edinburgh, said: “Celtic’s last gasp winner was a massive kick in the guts to Rangers and their fans and they know it. Playing away on the Wednesday and then away again on the Saturday was our toughest test of this two-games-a-week run and remember Rangers haven’t faced an away game after a Champions League tie yet while Celtic have two out of the way so it was a massive result.”
Jamie Thompson, Clydebank, said: “I’m a Rangers fan but I can’t see Rangers players coping with Liverpool. They are a class team with real quality players. All we can do is hope Liverpool have a bad night. If Rangers don’t turn up then it will be a bad night for them.”
Robert Livingstone, Palm Beach, said: “Not much doubt Giovanni van Bronckhorst made an error on the choice of goalkeeper to start the season. It took a sensational display of world class goal keeping by Allan McGregor for him to realise how wrong he was, and compounding that is his poor judgement in not playing Antonio Colak and Alfredo Morelos together. They are both lethal goalscorers and any manager worth his salt plays his top proven scorers. There's no doubt Van Bronckhorst has made fundamental errors with his team selections with so many poor choices but not playing the clubs two best goal-getters together is just unforgivable. The more goals you score, the more games you win.”
Aberdeen were on the end of a 4-0 thumping by Dundee United and one Dons fan reckons it was a mistake to let Derek McInnes leave Pittodrie – although a fan of his new club Kilmarnock isn’t so sure.
Hugh McKirdy emailed: “Stewart Milne should've stepped in when Dave Cormack initiated a change of manager. I'm pleased for Derek McInnes getting a job that allows him to spend more time with his family but as an Aberdeen fan it's been a big loss.”
But, after throwing away a two-goal lead against Hearts on Sunday, Jim McClean, Rothesay said: “I will never understand why Derek McInnes keeps trying to defend what he has. It cost us points against Hearts and his substitutes are crazy.”
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