Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
Sport
Alan Galindo

Robbie Neilson calls on VAR 'discrepancies' to be fixed as he reacts to Jorge Grant red card

Robbie Neilson has reacted to Jorge Grant's red card as he called on a lot of 'discrepancies' with VAR to be tidied up.

Hearts were reduced to ten-men early on during their five-goal thriller with Motherwell with the score level at 0-0 after the midfielder's challenge on Callum Slattery. However, Andy Halliday grabbed a double with Lawrence Shankland's late penalty securing a big three points after the visitors had fought back through strikes from Louis Moult and Blair Spittal.

The capital boss is adamant VAR is a really good thing for our game but believes the issue is with how the technology is implemented and the people watching it. The Gorgie side moved up to fourth spot with a 3-2 win at Tynecastle and moved to within two points of Aberdeen in third spot. Next up is a trip to Rangers before a home clash with Livingston. Giving his views on the red card and VAR, Neilson said: "I can talk all day about it — it's just more discrepancies with VAR. Having seen it, and even at the time, I didn't think it was a red card. Kevin's thoughts at the time was that he was high and out of control and reckless.

READ MORE: Hearts set for Spain training camp as Robbie Neilson confirms hopes to play friendly

Sign up to Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox

"When you look at it, he's definitely not high because he is on the ground, his studs are down. There is going to be some kind of velocity when you make a tackle, that's part of football. I don't think it ticked the boxes that he thought it did. We've got VAR there for a reason and I think there was an opportunity to look at it again. I think if he sees it he changes his mind."

"I think VAR is a really good thing; I think how it is implemented is the problem, the people watching it.

"Looking at the penalty with Craig Gordon, when you look at the real details of it, when the player plays the ball, yes they come together, but the spin of the ball changes so Craig gets a touch on the ball, hence he makes the save. But the people watching VAR don't understand that you have to look at the ball not just the player and the goalkeeper.

"I think there are a lot of discrepancies that need to get tidied up. Hopefully we can get to the World Cup break and they can have some kind of review of it and maybe tidy things up."

READ NEXT:

- Hearts urged to channel Premiership focus as Jambos warned against difficult World Cup break spot

- Hearts planning January transfer activity as Robbie Neilson outlines aims for winter window

- Hearts hero Colin Cameron explains 'strange' connection with Hibs favourite after football return

- Hearts fight valiant Celtic battle but lose out in VAR dominated thriller - three things we learned

- Hearts tie down Finlay Pollock to long-term deal as Joe Savage lists key attributes

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.