IT’S SO NEAR YET SO VAR
ALEX McLEISH has hailed the arrival of VAR after Scotland narrowly missed playing their first game with the new technology.
The Mexican FA asked their Scottish counterparts for permission to use video assistant refs in the Azteca Stadium tonight in preparation for their World Cup adventure.
The SFA gave the nod but behind-the-scenes glitches mean the system will only be trialled offline and won’t impact on the live action as the Scots face the final match of their controversial tour.
McLeish was disappointed not to be given the chance to go live with the system, as breaks in play could have benefited with temperatures tonight likely to top 30 degrees.
He said: “I’m happy with the prospect of VAR as we’re going to have to get used to it as part of football’s future, unless it goes horribly wrong in the World Cup.
“If it’s for the betterment of the game then great. We don’t want referees to be running scared so that decision-making becomes much more difficult for them. If VAR can play a positive part then why not? It’s used in other sports.
“Football is more constant so you wouldn’t want there to be too many disruptions over every single issue, such as disputes over throw-ins.
“We don’t want it to become farcical. It’s for potentially massive moments in the game. It’s not to be pedantic or to over-scrutinise things. It has a role to play if it’s done properly.
“It could have helped us in the Azteca, especially in a game like this where players will maybe need a break. We had hoped VAR would only work in our favour in the match.”
The threadbare Scots squad arrived in Mexico last night, less than 24 hours before kick-off, to make them better able to cope with acclimatisation for a match that will officially bring down the curtain on the season.
The Scots lost 2-0 to Peru, with the finger pointed at Jordan Archer for both goals. He will not feature tonight but only because McLeish wants to give Jon McLaughlin and Scott Bain game time.
He added: “We will use two goalkeepers, one in each half. Who else can play? They’re the only goalkeepers who are here!
“Listen, it’s their first game so they will feel a bit of an adrenalin rush and it will be up to them.
“This is the first time any of the goalkeepers have played for their country and we all saw the Champions League last weekend, when a keeper makes a mistake it’s invariably a goal.
“But it’s an amazing place to make your Scotland debut.
“As for the rest of the group, one or two have stiff muscles but we don’t think there is any great cause for concern.”