VAR officials ‘doing their best’ according to St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson
Stephen Robinson believes everyone is trying to “do their best” with VAR in Scotland despite not having the same resources as officials in England.
The Scottish Premiership introduced Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in the 2022/23 season, with Hibernian’s clash with St Johnstone at Easter Road being the first match to host it.
It was a move that was three years in the making with the English Premier League (EPL) having introduced it in 2019. Due to costs, the version implemented in Scotland is different from that in England.
However, despite the financial gap between the two leagues and the difference in VAR, St Mirren boss Robbo believes officials in Scotland are giving it their all with the system.
At the start of December, Willie Collum, a former referee and now the head of referee operations at the Scottish FA, held a meeting with staff from all Premiership teams.
Robbo’s No 2, Brian Kerr, attended the meeting for the Buddies with the manager saying the feedback he got was helpful.
He said: “Willie had a meeting with staff from all the Premiership teams about decisions and reviewing decisions.
“It’s all transparent and everyone’s trying to make the game better with what we have. We have VAR but we don’t have the millions they have in England in terms of running the VAR. So, everyone’s trying to do the best with it. Human error will be in the game as long as I’m in it and long after it as well.
“Brian came, and it’s clear that he gave us that feedback, and it’s the proper thing to do. Everyone is attempting to be open and honest, you know. The referees are making an effort to improve.
“The VAR staff is working to improve. They continuously evaluate their past actions, identify areas for improvement, and discuss how to improve their communication.
There is no other method to advance the game. VAR won’t disappear; it will only expand, and perhaps we can keep making improvements.
Robbo has provided an update on Dennis Adeniran, who hasn’t played much for Saints; his most recent outing was in the team’s 4-0 loss to Hearts in October.
The English midfielder joined the Paisley club in the summer from Israeli outfit Hapoel Petah Tikva. Robbo said the Londoner, who has appeared on the bench only three times in the last seven games, will be “frustrated” but admits others are ahead of him in the pecking order.
He said: “Every player is frustrated when they’re not playing. I believe there are people ahead of him at this moment in time. But Dennis has trained and kept his head down and worked hard. There are plenty of people frustrated when they’re not playing, not just him.
“The two boys in midfield have been outstanding. Killian [Phillips] and Mark [O’Hara] have been superb in every game that they’ve played together. So, we’re happy with our combination.
“It’s up to players like him to work and keep working and get into the team, because doing it any other way doesn’t get you anywhere. I’ve had no issues in terms of any of the players.
“They knuckle down. If it doesn’t work out for them, you shake hands and you move on amicably. But we’re not at that stage yet.”
