What’s the point of an assistant referee if he doesn’t assist the referee? Beaton got it wrong but he was hung out to dry by his linesman and the fourth official
I do think managers deserve an explanation but referees might see that differently DEREK McINNES ON GETTING ANSWERS OVER BIG CALLS
versa. But both referees still think they are right and I don’t understand it.”
The Pittodrie manager can see an easy solution, though.
McInnes said: “I would have VAR in Scotland all day long.
“I even think we could have a diluted version of VAR.
“The referee could easily be hooked up to a screen, we can see incidents on an iPad in our dugout within 10 seconds.
“We have the ability to do that, as most teams do nowadays. We can see incidents straight away.
“If that could be on one of the big screens you get down the road, without having someone else sitting elsewhere, it would be no harm for the referee to go over and see the incident again.
“You might not get every call right with it but you would get more right by having another look at the incident.
“That makes so much sense and that’s without all the expense.
“The SPFL say it costs too much and we all see down the road it is still not perfect.
“But on key decisions, it’s worth it. You might not eradicate offside calls without technology but you can look at handballs, simulation, penalties and the referee would feel more comfortable awarding the call having looked at it again.”
STEVEN GERRARD had every right to blow his top at Livingston on Wednesday night but the Rangers boss was let down by more than just John Beaton.
Don’t get me wrong, as soon as Alfredo Morelos went down inside the box I thought it was a stonewall penalty and couldn’t understand why the referee didn’t call it.
Even worse, when Beaton then pulled out a yellow card and showed it to the Colombian, I could hardly believe what I was seeing.
And yes, the ref probably handled it badly again when Gerrard came on to the pitch at half-time asking for an explanation.
It’s no wonder the Rangers boss felt his blood boiling when Beaton refused to even speak to him about it.
Emotions were running high because there is so much at stake, so I have no problem with the way Gerrard let off steam.
By letting rip at the official he probably galvanised his own team at the break to go on and wrap up another three points, which have
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But, even though I think it was over the top to show Gerrard a red as he made his way back off the pitch, I do have some sympathy for Beaton at the same time.
His emotions must have been going through the roof too because he was badly let down by the very people who are meant to be there to help him.
You’re not allowed to call them linesmen any more and I have no idea what that’s all about. But let’s just say the “assistant referee” who was closest to the incident left the man in charge hanging out to dry.
What was he, about 15 to 20 yards away maximum? With an absolutely clear view of Morelos, the ball and Livi keeper Max Stryjek?
So I have to ask: how the hell did the guy not give Beaton a hand when he needed him?
Beaton made a mistake. It happens. Referees are only human and the job they have must be almost impossible at times.
But that’s why they have assistants – because they are meant to assist.
There’s also a fourth official standing there in front of a TV screen on the sidelines but, for whatever reason, neither he nor the linesman – sorry “assistant referee” – were brave enough to get in John’s ear and let him know he’d got it badly wrong.
So, yes, I can imagine the ref was probably raging himself when he was coming off the pitch at half-time.
He was left to carry the can and probably had a gut feeling that Gerrard was right.
I must say, I loved the manager’s post-match interview because he was spot on in everything he said. It’s OK for one official to make a mistake during a game but it’s not acceptable for three of them to get it wrong at the same time.
The only thing I wasn’t so sure about was the mental image of Morelos dancing around the dressing room to Sweet Caroline with his top off. That’s one I could’ve done without.
But Gerrard went on to say he will take his medicine as far as punishment is concerned – even if it means he’ll be sitting in the stand when his team get this title over the line.
He knows he overstepped the mark by dropping the F-bomb and, in the cold light of day, will probably wish he hadn’t.
But what he won’t regret is the reaction he got out of his players in the second half. His flashpoint with