Doug Ward

Thu 24 February 2022 8:10, UK

VAR will not stop conspiracy theories that circulate among Rangers and Celtic fans, according to Glasgow Evening Times journalist Chris Jack.

Scottish clubs will meet next week to discuss the introduction of VAR into the Scottish Premiership midway through next season after the World Cup finishes.

Referees have been widely criticised this season from all corners of the SPFL while conspiracy theories and accusations of bias have also been thrown about.

However, while Jack supports the introduction of VAR to assist the struggling Scottish refs, he doesn’t feel as though it’ll lead to a reduction in tin-foil hat wearers.

“Technology will not stop the conspiracy theorists and it won’t halt the headlines,” Jack wrote on the Glasgow Evening Times website. “There will still be misplaced accusations of cheating and cries of bias – both for and against the Old Firm – as managers across the country rage about the inconsistencies and mistakes that blight our game on a weekly basis.

“Right now, our officials need all the assistance that they can get and every little would help. A move that would make Scottish whistlers full-time professionals is long overdue and the implementation of VAR is now a must rather than a maybe.”

Speaking about the refereeing controversy that marred Rangers’ draw with Dundee United, Jack added: “Madden didn’t spot the ball striking the arm of Ross Graham as he failed to get out of the way of a Charlie Mulgrew clearance. Appeals on the park were dismissed and within seconds TV viewers knew Madden had got it wrong.

“Later in the game, the same scenario unfolded. Graham had a hold of Fashion Sakala’s shirt but Madden stayed silent, the United defender survived and Rangers didn’t get what they were due.

“It was the champions’ profligacy that cost them points on Sunday but Madden’s mistakes didn’t help matters. Errors cannot be accounted for, but they should not be accepted either.”

Mad world of Scottish football

It doesn’t matter if a referee makes the correct decision or leans one way or the other with a 50:50 decision, there’ll always be some idiot trying to make it out that the referee in question supports Rangers or Celtic.

It’s always the way but ultimately, when supporters of both clubs are crying over the same issue, it means there’s not an issue there.

There’s no conspiracy, there’s no bias and there’s no cheating. There are just bad referees.

Our referees are part-time and are not aided by technology. They also seem to have very poor training and are perhaps held back by the ridiculous conspiracy theories and still image enthusiasts that plague Scottish football.

You really don’t see reactions quite like it south of the border.

VAR in the Premier League has had mixed results but our standard of refereeing in Scotland is at a far worse starting point.

VAR can only improve things, surely?

In other Rangers news, a midfielder is expected to be axed in two changes after an update yesterday in our predicted line-up versus Borussia Dortmund.