Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Robbie Copeland

Hugh Dallas joins Celtic and Rangers VAR debate as UEFA chief claims technology 'more important' than full time refs

Former top ref Hugh Dallas reckons the SFA must treat VAR as a matter of urgency for its referees.

And the deputy chief of UEFA refereeing thinks the technology is more important even than making its officials full-time.

The debate over bringing VAR into the Premiership has raged on in recent days but fans and pundits alike are coming round to the idea that it is inevitable.

Virtually every club in the top flight have had gripes with the standard of officiating this season, with the most high-profile this weekend coming at Tannadice when Fashion Sakala was hauled down in the box by Ross Graham.

New Aberdeen boss Jim Goodwin lamented Nick Walsh's offside decision on Christian Ramirez. There were also a number of eyebrow-raising claims in Celtic's clash with Dundee, while St Johnstone gaffer Callum Davidson has been a frequent critic of the standard of refereeing.

But while it's unanimously agreed that something needs done to raise the officials' game, it has been suggested that offering full-time contracts to whistlers should be the first step before VAR.

But as clubs get set to meet on Monday to discuss introducing it later this year, Dallas insists video technology should be the priority.

He said on Go Radio: "I don't think our referees can be any more professional than they are. Their commitment is unquestionable whether it's to training, seminars or travelling.

"They're at the beck and call of their bosses and they're always willing to drop everything.

"I was speaking to a referee a short while ago and he was telling me he was training at 7.30 this morning before he went to the office. He's training tonight too.

"One of the things that will improve things is VAR. That's a step in the right direction to help them.

"But I'm not convinced that being full-time... did it improve in other countries where it went full-time? They've probably had the same discussions that we had ten years ago.

"I think if you're going to put investment into refereeing then we're going the right way with VAR."

For your chance to win HOME tickets to Cinch SPFL matches each week across ALL FOUR divisions just enter our competition below. You can enter once each week to be in with a chance of winning. If the form isn't working (CLICK HERE)...Good Luck!

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.