Hearts boss Robbie Neilson has called for Scottish football to take a patient approach to VAR with the technology to be used for the first time at Tynecastle against 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, before the technology is put in place for the rest of the Scottish Premiership fixtures. Ange Postecoglou's Scottish champions will visit Gorgie when VAR is in place for the first time, and Neilson admits he expects there to be problems with the technology early on.
He told Sky Sports: "I think it will be very interesting. The game the night before will have it so I will be watching it with eagle eyes, just to see how it goes. It will be interesting, but I think it's really important that we take this step forward. All the big leagues in Europe are doing it.
"It's important that we take that next step. There will be some teething problems, but there always is with these things and we have got to be patient, but it will bring a new dawn for us.
"There is going to be these wee periods where the game stops so they can check it. You would rather that happens and they get the right decision, so I'm quite looking forward to it."
Neilson has been hampered by injury problems throughout the season and has dealt with the extra pressure of the Europa Conference League this term. The Hearts boss reckons the club are finally turning a corner in terms of fitness after a run of five games without a win.
"This is the first full week we have had with the guys, and we have managed to get a few guys back this week as well which is great and starts to bolster the squad a bit. This is a great game to be involved in and I would rather play against one of the Old Firm at home and have a great atmosphere.
"Peter (Haring) will follow the concussion protocol and miss the weekend. We are very hopeful about getting Andy (Halliday) back in as well, and a couple more but we will keep that up our sleeve just now."
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