MONDAY JURY
GIO VAN BRONKHORST reckons full-time refs would help the standard of officiating in Scotland. Do you agree with the Rangers boss?
It wouldn’t do any harm. But it all comes down to pounds and pence in the end. First thing’s first, the top 12 have to stump up for VAR to give our refs a helping hand.
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Ange Postecoglou has done a more than decent job just making Celtic competitive again in a short period, but he has his work cut out staying in touch at the top until he can bring in reinforcements. It does look like a big ask as the injuries pile up.
Not sure if going full time would make too much difference but bringing in technology would. It’s still ridiculous we’re at least 12 months away from joining the rest of the world with VAR.
It’s such a brutal run there’s bound to be points spilled by both at some point. Rangers have some stinky away days but Celtic’s squad is so vulnerable it would be a major surprise if they could ride it out. Chances are the gap will be around the same.
Most of our officials put in fulltime hours, even if they have a day job to contend with too. The best way to help our officials is to cough up the cash for VAR, the sooner the better.
Rangers have a tough schedule with trips to Hearts, Aberdeen and Celtic but they’ve a deeper squad and players coming back from injury. Celtic also face a tricky spell on the road but they showed at Tannadice they still have the quality to get by.
It would be costly but no doubt it would help. More in terms of analysis and networking with other countries’ officials rather than just topping up their fitness. VAR is a far more pressing issue though.
It’s a key month and, while Rangers have the slighter tougher fixtures, Celtic have an extra game with the League Cup Final. December 29, when Celtic host Hibs and Rangers are at Pittodrie, could be huge. It’s nip and tuck but gap will likely be the same.