Robinson in VAR call as Hearts march on
MOTHERWELL boss Stephen Robinson added his voice to the clamour for VAR technology after his goalkeeper Trevor Carson was stretchered off in the wake of Hearts’ winner at Fir Park.
A 1-0 victory established a five-point lead at the top of the Premiership table for Craig Levein’s side but Robinson was adamant Steven Naismith’s goal should not have stood.
The Scotland striker tapped into an empty net after the ball broke from a tackle contested by Carson and Hearts forward Uche Ikpeazu.
Robinson expressed sympathy with referee Bobby Madden’s decision
to play on, admitting he saw little wrong with the challenge at the time. However, after reviewing footage of the incident, he believes retrospective action should have been taken.
He said: ‘We all thought it was a 50-50 but I’ve got the benefit of watching it back four or five times and Trevor clearly gets the ball before Uche makes contact with him.
‘I have to say, there was no intent whatsoever from big Uche, but his momentum takes him right through and we’ve potentially got a goalkeeper with a broken ankle or a broken leg.
‘First and foremost, we shouldn’t be passing the ball back — it was an individual error so it’s not a blame game.
‘And if I was Bobby Madden I would probably have given the exact same decision because of the pace of the game.
‘But until we get a wee bit of help for everybody then those decisions are going to be given.’
A statement issued by Aberdeen last week in the wake of a failed appeal against a red card shown to defender Mikey Devlin also called for Video Assisted Referees.
The technology was used at the World Cup in Russia and has also been introduced in countries such as the USA.
‘If that’s in the MLS and the ref looks back at it, then the goal wouldn’t have stood and potentially there’s a card involved,’ added Robinson.
The incident provoked some lingering ill feeling between the respective dugouts that seemed to extend to Hearts manager Craig Levein, who watched on from the main stand as he continues his recovery from a recent heart scare.
‘If it was me, I would be unhappy with my goalie because he came out worse from a 50-50,’ quipped Levein. ‘I thought it was a very fair challenge. It was just that Uche wanted to win it more.’
Ikpeazu, who went over to check on Carson as he was placed on a stretcher, was more conciliatory, adding: ‘I went for the ball. It was a short back pass from their player, Carl McHugh, and then it was an honest challenge, a 50-50.
‘I hope he is all right, I apologise to him if he is injured. Injuries are the worst, I don’t wish that upon anyone.’
Carson tweeted an image of his swollen foot last night and said: ‘Thanks for the messages. Bit of a sore one but hopeful there is no serious damage.’
Meanwhile, Levein revealed that the club is on the verge of signing midfielder Sean Clare, a reported target for Rangers earlier in the summer. Clare would become the 18th player brought to the club since the end of last season.
Levein added: ‘He is nearly signed but it has been quite complicated. He’s still a Sheffield Wednesday player essentially as he’s still subject to training compensation and we are trying to get that all sorted out.
‘I believe the paperwork is nearly done and he should be with us on Monday. I can’t tell you how excited I am.’