Celtic legend Kenny Dalglish doesn’t see why problems with VAR should be accepted as a given with the new technology coming into effect in Scotland next week.
Scottish FA Chief Executive Ian Maxwell predicted last week that the first few months of the system being implemented will be ‘horrendous’.
It’s this assessment Dalglish has taken issue with, feeling that VAR shouldn’t be rolled out if it’s undercooked, or not ready.
Writing in his Sunday Post column today [16/10, Post Match supplement page 20], Dalglish said: “All eyes will be on Easter Road on Friday when VAR is used for the first time in Scottish football. Let’s hope there are no major hiccups. We don’t want any controversy on the opening night. Various people, including SFA chief executive, Ian Maxwell, have said that there will be teething problems for the first couple of months. I don’t see why that should be the case.
“At the end of the day, it comes down to the VAR official at the new hub in Glasgow making the correct decisions. The technology has been in football for a few years now, and there is no problem with that as long as Scottish officials know how to use it properly.
“They have been on a training programme for almost a year, so there really shouldn’t be any difficulties. Their systems must be ready, otherwise the SFA and the SPFL wouldn’t have sanctioned their use.”
Celtic’s last match in Scottish football without VAR will come against Motherwell midweek, with the system in use from next weekend’s trip to Tynecastle onwards.
As we discussed on 67 Hail Hail earlier today, VAR is unlikely to be a game-changer for the most frustrating issues that Celtic face, chief amongst them the overtly physical style of the top-flight hampering our team.
Even small incidents like the ones on display during yesterday’s win over Hibs, which had Celtic Park in an uproar, are unlikely to be fixed.
Nonetheless, if it helps to fix glaring issues then hopefully it can work out well in the end. I’m in agreement with Dalglish though, there’s no reason for it to come in and be a disaster as predicted. They have to be on the ball from the off.
In other news, Former Celtic coach Damien Duff gives class post-match interview after guiding team to cup final.
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