03 Dec 2021 19:32:13
Noticed some comments about VAR. I have a few contacts who are referees in Scotland or were Uefa graded in the past. Spoke with current SPL referee a few weeks back. They want VAR but are worried that people think it's going to sort everything. His words were "it is only to be used when a clear error has occurred". His point after this was well made in that it won't stop contraversial decisions and he highlighted that fans will still kick off regardless. This particular referee gets a used of a certain old firm side bias which is completely untrue. I do think the standard of referees in this country is poor but very few people want to come into the profession. Guys car been vandalised. Drunks banging at his door scaring his kids etc. Just a different perspective for you.

1.) 03 Dec 2021
03 Dec 2021 19:40:08
*acused*.

2.) 03 Dec 2021
03 Dec 2021 20:00:30
I used to go with a Millwall work mate of mine, down to the Den once in a while. And I must say the officials were shocking. The Millwall boys were always moaning about it but accepted that every team had to put up with it. The difference in Scotland is it tends to be all about Rangers / celtic, but I'm sure if you ask fans of any other team or look at the stats, then you'll find the officiating is pretty poor across the board.

3.) 03 Dec 2021
03 Dec 2021 20:14:57
Can see your point Otter mate.

There are nutters that say they are fans of football clubs and who think think. they are above the law.

You won't find many traffic wardens whose addresses are known to the public for the same type of abuse.

4.) 03 Dec 2021
03 Dec 2021 20:18:08
Parlane I played in Scottish Cup finals, District Cup finals etc as a teenager. Lots of boys I played with and against had good careers out of football. Even when we were teenagers we knew which refs were the better ones and which ones we dreaded. Think it just embedded into football culture. Blame the ref. One manager once gave us some wisdom. He said if you play to your capability the referee shouldn't matter. A fair point I think.

5.) 03 Dec 2021
03 Dec 2021 21:02:38
Would like var but would be better if it could only get used for howling mistakes that drawing lines is mince takes the fun out the game should only get used for straight reds pens and massively off sides only for me should only be overturned if you can tell with the eye drawing lines takes to much time and takes fun out the game.

6.) 03 Dec 2021
03 Dec 2021 21:56:42
You can play to your best otter but that can be undone by a crap official as I've experienced with clubs all through my teens . Just think in the top divisions you shouldn't have to put up with it mate.

7.) 03 Dec 2021
03 Dec 2021 22:09:56
VAR Will be in next year Assistant ref's have started training course on this.2 per game 1 to look for offside and other to check penalties etc. they will be located in mobile unit at what games concerned.

8.) 03 Dec 2021
03 Dec 2021 22:45:30
Gers58 that's what my contact said too. Next season it's in. Hopefully improve things.

9.) 03 Dec 2021
03 Dec 2021 22:53:52
You’re right Otter, it’s amazing how little the supposed ‘expert pundits’ of Scottish football actually know or understand about the game. For example our penalty on Wednesday (which was a clear penalty, no doubt in that at all) would not of been effected at all if we had VAR. We’ve had all the pundits lining up to suggest how having VAR would help in that kind of situation, but as you state the way it’s used is, it only intervenes in cases of clear and obvious errors and in offside situations. There was no ‘clear or obvious error’ in the award of that penalty, VAR would not of requested a check. It’s amazing how none of these so called footballing experts / pundits / journalists have even mentioned that fact. They really do know nothing. I mean, take the incident in the Brondby game (I think it was anyway) when Aribo was tripped for the most blatant penalty ever! The ref missed it and even then VAR (which was being used) didn’t intervene. Now in that case it really should of as it was a clear referring error. But if it’s not used in a situation like that then there is no chance it would of on Wednesday.

10.) 03 Dec 2021
03 Dec 2021 23:31:56
Ger58, 'at what games concerned '?
Really, not all SPL games.

11.) 04 Dec 2021
04 Dec 2021 00:52:10
I meant at whatever game it concerned and yes it would cover all SPL.

12.) 04 Dec 2021
04 Dec 2021 07:04:46
It's funny how referees were perfectly fine with celtic fans from 2012 until 2020. The standard must've been a lot better because I hardly seen them complain once about one.

13.) 04 Dec 2021
04 Dec 2021 10:42:54
Should be used to review all penalties awarded and for every goal scored to check for offside. Then we have the refs decision and VARs. Then again if a pen is awarded to RFC or Celtic, we would all still say that the other is biased. Nothing will ever change in our league.

14.) 04 Dec 2021
04 Dec 2021 10:59:51
Good thread lads regards VAR. When you say clear and obvious error then who makes that call, is it the VAR ref? Surly the have to review the incident to make that call, just saying as in the EPL it appears all decisions are being reviewed by VAR. I am all for it, yes it slows the game down at times but for me getting the correct decision is more important. I know even its VAR there are times they still get it wrong in some peoples eyes but they get it right more often than not. I also like the anticipation of waiting to see if the goal I allowed or not, looking forward to it.