Rangers fans are still licking their wounds over a spate of abject performances at Rugby Park, and we’re not just talking about the team.
Referee John Beaton has come in for some stick from the Ibrox support for what many perceive to be an unfair refereeing performance in the side’s 2-1 defeat to Killie.
But far from accept Beaton’s latest poor performance officiating Rangers, should this echo earlier calls for VAR to be implemented in Scotland?
Rangers sparked the debate for VAR in Scotland after the club fell to a 1-0 defeat to Celtic in the League Cup Final, despite our rival’s goal being offside.
Against Kilmarnock, John Beaton too often played it safe in game-defining decisions.
In the build-up to Kilmarnock’s equaliser, Beaton failed to recognise a handball prior to the cross for Stephen O’ Donnell’s goal.
Beaton also disallowed a perfectly good Alfredo Morelos header, which genuinely does get harsher on every watch.
On top of that, with Rangers toiling, Beaton failed to point to the spot for a blatant push on Colombian forward Morelos with Killie 2-1 up at Rugby Park.
That’s before we talk about the Chris Burke last-man challenge on Ryan Kent and the Gary Dicker dive which should’ve drawn a second yellow card.
Some if not all of these decisions would’ve been picked up by VAR and despite previously being on the fence, for me, it’s further evidence that referees need the assistance.
Let’s spend less time debating its suitability, more time figuring out its viability, so these issues aren’t commonplace come next season.
