Aberdeen manager Jim Goodwin revealed that he has received no clarity over why VAR went down during the Dons Viaplay Cup semi final defeat to Rangers on Sunday.
This came in the latest controversy since its introduction in October 2022, with the Hampden showpiece marred with talking points in a game where Kemar Roofe's injury time winner set up a final meeting against Celtic. During the clash, Borna Barisic was only shown yellow for a tackle from behind on Matty Kennedy before Aberdeen captain Anthony Stewart was dismissed without hesitation for a late challenge on Fashion Sakala. Light Blues winger Ryan Kent also appeared to swing his arm towards the face of Dons defender Liam Scales during the five minute period the technology was down, with Goodwin insisting the problems didn't help matters at all.
He said: "Look, with regards to VAR in general, I've been a big advocate of it and I think it was time for us to bring it in and get in line with a lot of the other top European countries. I always expected there to be one or two teething problems with it and I think there was some decisions which were maybe taking too long in the early part which is only natural because everyone is trying to get used to the new system.
"With regards to dropping in and dropping out the way it did during the game, I think technology sometimes does that. I don't know the in's and out's of what happened. I don't think we've been given an update with regards to that from the SFA why it wasn't working at certain moments. But look I don't hold the officials or anybody responsible for that.
"I'm pretty sure there's a valid reason for that happening, nobody would've wanted it to happen but I don't think it helped in terms of the overall situation. It was an unnecessary delay to the game, the rhythm was sort of taken out of the game with that incident with VAR, added to that the quality of the pitch. I just think it was at a time where from a marketing perspective when we are trying to publicise the game in a positive light, I think there are a number of learnings we can take from it."
Aberdeen don't have long to dwell on their cup heartbreak as they make the trip to face Hearts at Tynecastle on Wednesday. Robbie Neilson's men are six points clear of the Dons in third place, however the Pittodrie outfit came out on top when the pair met in October and Goodwin says his squad will be well-prepared to take on the Jambos despite the quick turnaround.
“I think it’s huge game," added Goodwin. "Every game in this league is an extremely difficult one regardless of whether you’re playing a team near the top or the bottom. You don’t ever look at any fixture and think that it’s a guaranteed three points.
"Hearts’ domestic form has been very, very good. I think we are one of the very few teams to beat them this year. We have to take confidence from that last league fixture here at Pittodrie. We got a couple of good goals on the day. We know that we can cause them some problems at the back.
"On the flip side of that we know that they’ve got some very good attacking players. Shankland has hit a bit of form. Snodgrass has been a very good signing as well with his experience in the middle of the pitch. We do our due diligence on every opponent and all of the analysis that you would expect and the boys will be well prepared come kick off tomorrow.”
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