Celtic news: McLeish issues ‘brutal’ SPFL verdict after manager hits out at Rangers
Alex McLeish has claimed “it’s really sad” to see Scottish Premiership clubs struggling to afford the introduction of VAR amid pressure from Celtic and Rangers.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Scotland manager said “it’s a crime shame” that smaller clubs’ budgets “won’t allow” for a six figure annual investment in technology.
According to The Scottish Sun (28 February), Scottish Premiership clubs are worried after learning VAR would cost them around £118,000-a-year each.
Celtic and Rangers have been pushing for such technology to be introduced after feeling wronged by a number a decisions this season.
However, as quoted by the Daily Record (2 March), Motherwell boss Graham Alexander insisted his side would have beaten the Gers twice if VAR had been in use.
When asked by Football Insider‘s Adam Williams for his thoughts on VAR’s potential introduction, McLeish said:
“It must be really frustrating when you see a bad decision and you know VAR would have helped that decision.
“The other brutal absolute is that clubs do not have the money to invest in that technology. It is really sad that the budgets won’t allow for that.
“Whether something can be done or subsidised… God knows where the money is coming from. It’s really hard for the smaller teams to do it. It’s a crime shame.
“The top strikers live on the inch. You will see different movements now from players to try and beat the offside system with the assistance of VAR. That is where the best strikers in the world will come to the fore.”
In other news, a pundit has issued a verdict on a Rangers star being ‘disrespectful’ to staff at Ibrox after a £30,000 reveal.