CELTIC’S trip to Tynecastle will be the first Scottish game that VAR is in operation to be televised.
The team that’s been given the game is controversial amongst the Celtic support, with last weekend’s referee commanding VAR for the match.
Steven McLean will be at Clydesdale House advising Nick Walsh on field. With David Roome and Ross Macleod running the lines and Craig Napier the Fourth Official. [Scottish Daily Express, the SFA is yet to confirm this arangement]
VAR has been brought in sooner than expected, with it first supposed to arrive in the Scottish game after the pause for the World Cup in November. Its introduction is welcome; however, bringing it in part way through a season does raise some questions about the consistency.
There will likely be some hiccups in the first few weeks and months, like there were all over the world, but as the season progresses it should show its true worth. It won’t please everyone, but it’s a necessary step to take as Scotland looks to up its standard of refereeing.
