Noel Whelan

Mon 24 October 2022 7:53, UK

Noel Whelan has claimed goal-line technology must be introduced in tandem with VAR in the Scottish Premiership as Celtic and Rangers get to grips with the new system.

The former Leeds and Aberdeen striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the “clarity” of the goal-line system could be the difference at both ends of the table.

VAR was introduced for the first time in the Scottish Premiership for the weekends’ round of fixtures but its arrival wasn’t without controversy.

Following Celtic’s dramatic 4-3 win over Hearts on Saturday (22 October), former Hoops striker Chris Sutton tweeted to claim his old side “beat Hearts and VAR today” after a number of contentious decisions.

As per the BBC (20 October), goal-line technology is not part of the new roll-out with the high costs involved making its use impractical in Scotland.

VAR will instead use its cameras to aid officials in deciding whether the ball has crossed the line.

In the Premier League on Saturday (22 October), Man United were handed a reprieve after the Hawk-Eye system spotted that Casemiro’s last-gasp header against Chelsea was indeed a goal.

Whelan told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “Goal-line tech needs to be introduced.

“It’s the Premiership – which means it’s the elite teams in the country. When you look at most European nations, they’ve got that technology set up.

“As much as there are two dominant forces in the league, that decision could be the difference between other teams staying up or the difference between Celtic or Rangers winning the league.

“With goal-line technology, there are no arguments.

“There’s no looking back at the game and arguing about decisions. It’s black and white – and that’s the clarity this league needs.”

In other news, Football Insider updates as Rangers set sights on signing Championship star after Saturday transfer mission.