By Alan Hutton

22nd May, 2023 | 11:14am

Rangers expert urges Scottish chiefs to match Premier League's VAR move amid 'best in the world' claim

Former Rangers defender Alan Hutton has backed the Scottish Premiership to follow the Premier League in airing referee and VAR conversations.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Gers right-back said explaining controversial officiating decisions could “put people’s mind at ease”.

Last week (16 May), PGMOL chief refereeing officer Howard Webb was on Sky Sports‘ Monday Night Football to explain several VAR calls from throughout the 2022-23 season.

Viewers were given access to audio footage from the officials during the decision-making process of several key decisions this season.

VAR was introduced to Scotland in October and has been the source of controversy over the last seven months.

When asked if we could see a similar move to greater transparency in Scotland, Hutton told Football Insider: “If they can do it and it is good enough for one of the best leagues in the world then why can’t Scotland do something like that?

“It would be interesting to find out from the referees certain decisions and put people’s mind at ease in certain situations so I do not see why it could not work here as well.

“I think in an ideal world if the fans could hear whilst the decisions were going on, I know it can’t always be the case but you would really get a good understanding of what is going on and why it is taking so much time.

“Being involved in it might help us understand a little bit better. Whether we see that in the future we will have to wait and see.“

In other news, Rangers are at risk of losing £16m as critical July date looms.