George Overhill

Tue 21 March 2023 12:40, UK

Kenny Dalglish has gone against the crowd decrying VAR use following the 4-2 Rangers win at Motherwell and has called for even more usage.

Kevin van Veen’s opener and Todd Cantwell’s third for the Bears were allowed to stand at Fir Park on Saturday (18 March) after video reviews despite suspicions of offside in the build-up, leading Kris Boyd to decry “cheap” technology in the Scottish game [Football Scotland, 18 March], while Ally McCoist has admitted he’s changed his mind on VAR and would be happy to see it scrapped [Daily Record, 20 March].

Celtic icon Dalglish has gone the other way, praising the use of video technology, and after Rangers midfielder Todd Cantwell was heavily criticised for his reaction to Callum Slattery which led to the Steelmen midfielder being shown a second yellow, the former Scotland forward says that such incidents should now be reviewable as well.

Dalglish said in The Times: “I think it’s useful but it could be even more useful if they look at the play acting. You can give out yellow cards if he’s acting.”

Inevitable?

It is clear that it would take something catastrophic to go wrong as a result of VAR involvement for it to be scrapped anywhere in football.

The chorus of complaints, some justified but plenty not, has been a constant wherever it has been introduced around the world, and that hasn’t done anything to dissuade authorities.

So while it is in use it is perhaps bound to eventually be used for further elements of the game where it is currently not allowed to intervene.

It is an enduring frustration for fans that officials can apparently still make bizarre interpretations of incidents and despite there being a video assistant they are restricted from correcting it.

Cantwell’s reaction to a high arm from Slattery has received a lot of attention, and over exaggerated responses to minor contact is something that winds supporters up throughout the leagues, but it has arguably become part of the game because it works.

Referees routinely ignore genuine fouls if a player stays on their feet, and dish out punishment if they throw themselves to the ground, so until it stops working they will continue to do it whether it is annoying or not.

In theory that makes it a prime candidate for future expanded VAR usage to stamp it out, but while Dalglish’s view is that it will provide clarity, judging by how officials have used it so far it will more likely create further opportunities for them to infuriate pundits and fans since it will remain a judgement call.

There has been plenty of outrage over the two goals not being ruled out, despite people generally being in favour of goals and Stuart Dougal rightly pointing out that it did at least remain consistent on Saturday.

In other Rangers news, a BBC Sportscene pundit who works at Motherwell insisted it wasn’t his bias that made him furiously slam one Gers ace.