Delighted David Martindale reckons clubs like Livingston are set to benefit from the introduction of VAR when facing off against Rangers and Celtic.
The SFA will be rolling out their video assistant referee system for the first time as Hibs face off against St Johnstone on Friday night in a sell-out clash, with Livi playing Gio van Bronckhorst's side at Ibrox during the opening weekend for the technology. Ahead of the trip to Govan, gaffer Martindale reckons video technology could prove to be a potential difference maker in front of a capacity crowd.
Martindale insists the roaring Rangers and Celtic fans can impact on decisions made by referees at Ibrox and Celtic Park, and even when they are handed 8000 tickets for Livingston's Tony Macaroni Arena. The Lions' boss is happy to see the VAR system make it's debut as they look to pull off a shock in Glasgow.
He said: "When you go away to the bigger stadiums, and even when the Old Firm come here and there's 8,000 Celtic or Rangers fans, and there's a dubious decision and fans are calling for a decision, I think it maybe helps make the ref's mind up. It's the ref's impulses, I don't think they are biased.
"I just think when there are 8000 fans or 50-60,000 fans calling for a foul, the balance of probability falls in their favour rather than ours. So I am quite happy to be going to Ibrox with VAR in place to be honest."
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