McManus calls for VAR shake-up amid ‘big’ Celtic controversy claim – ‘they won’t be happy’
Tam McManus has given the Scottish Premiership’s new VAR system a “six out of ten” rating for its first weekend after a number of controversies as Celtic beat Hearts on Saturday (22 October).
The former Hibernian striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the technology must be quicker and needs “a lot of improvement” in the coming months.
VAR took centre stage at Tynecastle during a thrilling 4-3 win for visitors Celtic, with Hearts awarded two penalties.
One spot-kick was retaken after Moritz Jenz was adjudged to have encroached after Joe Hart’s save, while referee Nick Walsh denied the Parkhead side a penalty of their own for a potential handball.
Speaking to club media post-match, Hoops boss Ange Postecoglou said he would rather not see VAR get involved “too much” in the game.
The technology, which will reportedly cost clubs £1.2million per season, was in use for the first time in the Scottish Premiership during the weekend’s fixtures.
McManus insisted officials “shouldn’t be getting the big decisions wrong” now they have the help they needed.
He told Football Insider’s Ben Wild: “I think I’d give it a six out of ten.
“It needs to be a bit quicker, and the system needs a lot of improvement. They shouldn’t be getting the big decisions wrong, but in the Celtic game they managed to get two wrong.
“The Celtic supporters won’t be happy with that.
“They got the result in the end in a thrilling game.”
Celtic moved four points clear atop the Scottish Premiership after their win.
Second-place Rangers dropped points against Livingston despite VAR intervening to red-card defender Morgan Boyes.
In other news, pundit claims Celtic victims of ‘unfair’ rule as Moritz Jenz footage analysed.