Rangers expert issues emphatic VAR claim as Alfredo Morelos footage emerges
Alan Hutton has praised the work of VAR official official Greg Aitken to send off Livingston’s Morgan Boyes against Rangers.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Gers right-back initially thought the challenge on Alfredo Morelos was a yellow card offence but insisted referee Nick Walsh made the correct decision.
As shown on Sky Sports (24 October), Boyes was shown a yellow card for a foul on the Rangers striker.
Walsh was instructed by the VAR official to have another look at the incident and upgraded Boyes’ punishment to a red card.
As quoted by FootballScotland (22 October), Livingston manager David Martindale admitted that the tackle was a red card offence and said he has “no complaints” with the decision.
Hutton praised the intervention of VAR in this instance and insisted it helped the referee reach the correct decision.
“When I watched the game my initial thought at full speed was that it was a yellow card,” he told Football Insider.
“When they went and checked it and we saw the replays of it, it was high, there was a bit of force in it. I did think it was a red card.
“So in that instance I think that is what VAR is there for, to make correct decisions. Overall I think it worked there.“
VAR was introduced to Scotland at the weekend after three years of preparation.
The technology was initially due to come in to force after the World Cup in Qatar but it was ready ahead of schedule.
In other news, Kieran Maguire has suggested Kyle Fox could ‘take control’ of Rangers as £25m-plus deal on cards.