Rangers assistant manager Gary McAllister has waded into the debate surrounding VAR in the English Premier League, saying he is “absolutely” happy it’s not in Scotland.
Not yet at least.
The former Liverpool and Leeds United midfielder was speaking to the press as Rangers look ahead to the trip to Ross County and he’s happy they’re ironing out the issues with the technology in England.
“I think so, absolutely [if he is grateful Scotland doesn’t have VAR],” said McAllister [Rangers].
“I’m just hearing this morning that they’re going to go use the screens at the side of the pitch, I’ve no idea why they haven’t used them. That’s why it’s there.
“When it was first put in place I was a massive fan but we’re now starting to see the wee difficulties that it’s thrown up.
“But I just think the referee who’s refereeing that particular match should go use that facility at the side of the pitch.
“I think we appreciate how difficult a job it is [refereeing] and we’ve got to try and help them, that’s what VAR was supposed to bring, to make it easier for referees to do their jobs, so we’ve got to respect the referees.
“That’s the advantage of not taking it immediately, the beauty is now that they will hopefully iron out all these little problems before it lands in Scotland.”
Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has been an outspoken supporter of giving more support to referees, be it through VAR or otherwise, and it’s interesting to hear McAllister’s views on the changing face of the technology.
In knock-out competitions, VAR appears to more fluent and operational than when it has been used in the season-long English Premier League.
The old adage that decisions evens themselves out over the season appears to be more suitable than the frustrating, often woeful, decision making of the VAR.
But as McAllister says, perhaps they can iron out the kinks of VAR before we see any such technology in Scotland.
