Kenny Dalglish admits he has major concerns over VAR arriving in Scotland - but insists there is too much at stake to not use the technology.
Several top flight managers south of the border were left frustrated by decisions made by the video assistant referee last week, with David Moyes fuming after an equaliser against Chelsea was knocked back while Eddie Howe was left reeling after Newcastle United were denied a goal against Crystal Palace. That has led to some calls in England for the technology to be scrapped - before the it has even debuted in the Scottish Premiership.
VAR will be implemented in the top flight after December's World Cup in Qatar, and will also be introduced in the Premier Sports Cup semi-finals and final in January and February of next year. With the title fight between Celtic and Rangers likely to go to the wire this season, Dalglish insists it is right that VAR is implemented - but admits it comes with some risks.
Writing in the Sunday Post, Dalglish said: "Several managers in England’s top flight were angry last weekend after some strange decisions by VAR. Davie Moyes, Eddie Howe, Jesse Marsch, Graham Potter and Steven Gerrard all had their say – and they were quite right.
"The equaliser that was disallowed for West Ham against Chelsea was a poor call. Newcastle United’s goal in their home game against Crystal Palace should have stood. Leeds United had a good claim for a penalty waved away by VAR in their clash at Brentford.
"We need to get things right more often than not, and there were just too many bad calls last weekend. Scottish football will have VAR later in the season and the officials are working away on it just now.
"As is the case in England and European football, we want it there to help our officials, not embarrass them. I believe the whistlers in Scotland can’t wait for VAR to be up and running.
"They are happy to have a helping hand and there is nothing wrong with that. Anything that’s in play to allow the correct decision to be reached should be welcomed with open arms.
"There is too much at stake in the game for it to be ignored. Some people still think VAR ruins the game. I don’t think it does.
"It’s the people in charge of the technology who need to be looked at. They must do better."
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