Ex-Premier League referee demands SFA intervention as Celtic and Rangers braced for ‘imminent’ change
Keith Hackett has called on the Scottish FA to come out and inform Celtic and Rangers fans about how VAR will work in the Scottish Premiership.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee delivered his verdict after it was revealed the system may be introduced ahead of schedule.
Former whistler Steve Conroy revealed on the Get Involved Referee podcast earlier this month (3 October) that the technology will be introduced “imminently”.
It was originally planned for after the World Cup but trials have been taking place behind the scenes and they are now ready to go public.
“I think that what is important here is that everybody is prepared and have received the appropriate training,” Hackett told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“It’s no good surprising the media, the media are part of the process. The Scottish FA have got to have a series of sessions with the media to ensure that everybody understands fully what the system is, what the criteria is and not just let it go by chance.
“Be open. Say ‘This is how we have operated it, this is how we are going to continue to operate it and these are the basic outcomes’.
“This is quick. I thought they were going to introduce it after the World Cup and I think they should stay with that. They are clearly operating it below the line.”
Celtic lead Rangers by two points at the top of the Scottish Premiership with both teams having played nine games.
The Hoops needed a late winner to beat St Johnstone 2-1 on Saturday (8 October) to maintain the gap.
In other news, Celtic and Rangers have been handed a “brilliant” boost and “it is huge for Scottish football”.