Montgomery backs VAR but some calls have made him ‘angry’
Hibernian manager calls for more accountability when things go wrong
NICK MONTGOMERY insists he is still broadly in favour of VAR when used properly – but admits he has been “angry all season” by some of the decisions that have gone against Hibs, and wants to see referees held to account when they make mistakes.
The Scottish FA issued a report during the week outlining a number of recent refereeing decisions in cinch
Premiership matches that were found to be incorrect, with two involving the Easter Road side.
One was the awarding of a penalty to Hearts during the 1-1 Edinburgh derby draw in February while the other was the non-award of a spotkick to Hibs in their 2-1 home defeat by St Johnstone last month, and Montgomery believes those decisions had a serious impact on Hibs’ season and their failed target of finishing in the top six.
“I think the decisions that we’ve had, especially in the latter part, have really impacted our season,” he said, previewing today’s trip to Dingwall to face Ross County. “Looking at the incidents that came out this week, it’s just another punch in the face. To have a derby win taken off us, the fans, and the boys who put in the effort to win that game, in an incident that everybody knew was wrong on the night… for that to now come out in a report, when everyone knew it was wrong at the time, is unacceptable.
“Given the big picture and the big impact it has on seasons and where teams finish in the league, it’s not good enough.”
Particularly galling for Hibs and Montgomery was the fact that the VAR on duty for the derby told on-field referee Kevin Clancy to review his
decision – only for the whistler to stick to his guns and double down on awarding Hearts the penalty.
“Clubs have invested into a VAR system to ensure that we don’t get these decisions wrong in massive games. The VAR called the referee over in the Hearts game, he reviewed it – and everybody knew it was wrong – but he gave the penalty. That really does beggar belief. Ultimately, it shouldn’t be wrong if it’s reviewed on video and the referee is asked to come over to the monitor.
“Where is the accountability? Where is the apology for getting something so wrong? I’ve been angry through the season.
“It’s deflating and disappointing. We have to hope things improve, moving forward, because clubs invest in order to improve decision-making.
“As a manager, it’s hard not to feel hard-done by. It’s no excuse; we’re
responsible for a lot of the late goals conceded. The self-inflicted defeats and losing points through a lack of concentration, that’s on us – and it happens. But when you then have VAR incidents like that, it’s very frustrating.”
Montgomery feels these incidents are symptomatic of a wider issue – that referees in the Scottish game remain part-time, rather than fulltime. Despite conveying his anger at the decisions that have contributed to Hibs finishing in the lower half of the division, he recognises that officials have a tough job and need all the help they can get.
“There shouldn’t have been as many errors as there have been. The impact on budgets, on clubs, on supporters, of course you have to take that into account. But what they’ll never do is come out and apologise and then give you the points back. You can’t change it,” he commented.
“A lot of the VAR decisions have been right: the tight offsides, and decisions like that which obviously impact games. It’s not easy being a referee and that’s why they’ve got the VAR to help. Maybe it’s more about educating the VAR operators and giving them more say to overrule the on-field referee and tell them, ‘You’ve got that wrong.’
“Because, ultimately, the referee will go on and make that decision and some of the calls have been baffling – and a lot of them seemed to be against Hibs, which is frustrating for me and the players.”
The former Central Coast Mariners manager remains hopeful that things will improve for next season and that Hibs will get a bit more rub of the green in the process. But he also wants to see some accountability for referees who do get key decisions wrong.
“I think you have to take away from the referees the pressure of the moment, with the home fans screaming at them - like happened in the February derby.
“The VAR is there to support the referee and make sure he gets the decision right so if the on-field referee blatantly goes against the VAR’s decision, I think there should be some accountability for the referee if they’ve got a decision wrong and haven’t listened to the VAR; some sort of punishment – whether that’s missing the next game, which happens in other leagues.
“To just brush it under the carpet and move on is frustrating. You can’t change it now, they’re not going to give the points back, but everybody wants the game to be officiated fairly and properly and I think we’re in an age now with technology that should mean we’re limiting the ones that are totally wrong.”
We have to hope things improve, moving forward, because clubs invest in order to improve decision-making