John McGinn calls for VAR to be scrapped in Scotland, slams Auston Trusty’s red card for Celtic

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VAR in the Scottish Premiership made the headlines for all the wrong reasons at the weekend.

So much so that Aston Villa and Scotland midfielder John McGinn thinks VAR should be scrapped in Scotland ‘until they get it right.’

There were several controversial calls across the Premiership matches, including during Celtic’s 2-1 defeat to Hibernian on Sunday, as well as Motherwell’s 5-0 win at St Mirren, where McGinn’s older brother, Paul, was in action.

Sticking to the incident at Parkhead, Auston Trusty was sent off for violent conduct after 74 minutes with the scores level, but it’s a call McGinn disagreed with because he thinks it’s the norm in football today.

Either way, should Scotland keep running with VAR? McGinn doesn’t think so.

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John McGinn calls for VAR to be scrapped in Scotland

McGinn is used to VAR in the English Premiership, where, of course, the finances are much stronger, and the depth of officials is also much deeper.

That helps matters a lot, but either way, the Villa captain thinks Scottish football would be ‘better without it’ because there are far too many issues across the shop.

This is what he told Premier Sports.

Michael Stewart: “Would you scrap it, John?”

McGinn: “Aye, in Scotland, I would scrap it. Until they get it right.”

Alan Hutton: “It’s either the proper one or not.”

McGinn: “Even sometimes when I see the lines, they are almost diagonal, at times. But I understand how it’s now, then take it away. I do get that as well.

“In England, it’s not perfect either. There are inconsistencies. Europe seems to be quick. Everything seems to get done quickly and efficiently. And in England, they are trying things out like the referee speaking through the stadium and describing it.

“I do think Scottish football is slightly different, and it would be better without it.”

McGinn on Auston Trusty’s red card for Celtic against Hibernian

Celtic were level with Hibs late in the second half, when Trusty was punished for smacking Jamie McGrath’s arm from a corner.

McGinn thinks it ‘changed the game’, but explained that if that’s a sending off, then you are going to have ‘the microscope out for every corner.’

The Scotland star, who will be heading to the 2026 World Cup in the summer, added that Rangers striker Youssef Chermiti ‘did something similar’ to Trusty during Rangers’ 2-2 draw at Livingston.

“I do think the red card changes the game,” said McGinn. “If that’s going to be a red card, then you are going to have the microscope out for every corner.

“Granted, it was stupid. But if I am marking someone and holding someone from a corner. I am expecting to get my arm punched for somebody to get away from me. It happens all the time.

“Even (Youssef) Chermiti, maybe not with the same force, when Chermiti was getting the ball back at 2-2 against Livingston, he actually did something similar. Not as aggressive as Trusty. That can’t be a red card. It does change the flow of the game.

“I am not sure Celtic would have had enough to go and win 2-1. But it’s a big, big call, and an important call.”