Gio van Bronckhorst reckons full-time refs would help the standard of officiating in Scotland. Do you agree with the Rangers boss?
Keith Jackson : It wouldn’t do any harm. But it all comes down to pounds and pence in the end. First things first, the top 12 have to stump up for VAR to give our refs a helping hand.
Michael Gannon : 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.
Andy Newport : Most of our officials put in full-time 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.
Fraser Wilson : 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.
Celtic have injury worries and with a packed schedule before the Old Firm, do you think the gap will be stretched or shortened before the next derby?
Keith Jackson : 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.
Michael Gannon : 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.
Andy Newport : 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.
Fraser WIlson : 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.
Tony Watt has netted twice in the last week to move to the top of the Premiership scoring charts. Is he due a Scotland call-up in March?
Keith Jackson : He’s certainly making a case for himself. If Watt maintains this form over the next three months then, absolutely, he will have earned a place in Steve Clarke’s squad.
Michael Gannon : He must be banging on the door. Watt has always had the ability but now he’s showing consistency. Scotland don’t have a ton of strikers and he’s worth another look.
Andy Newport : He will certainly be in the conversation but Steve Clarke has proven stubbornly loyal to the players who have served him well and with Kevin Nisbet also on the way back to form it wouldn’t surprise me if Watt was left out again.
Fraser Wilson : Watt is in the form of his life, but it’s a case of when you’re in Steve Clarke’s squad then, barring injury, you’re place is pretty much assured. That familiarity has served Scotland well. Watt’s best chance would be as an injury replacement.
One win in eight games makes grim reading for Hibs. But with a League Cup final on the horizon is gaffer Jack Ross really under pressure?
Keith Jackson : No. Ross continues to do great work at Easter Road even if the recent run has been way below his own expectations. Hibs have a proper manager on their hands.
Michael Gannon : No. Hibs have been consistent performers under Ross and this is the first real bumpy stage – yet they are still in a final. They’ve raised the bar so it’s natural for fans to grumble when they don’t hit the heights.
Andy Newport : No. Almost every side in the Premiership bar the big two will go through a run like this at some stage and Ross’ performance until now should mean he has credit in the bank.
Fraser Wilson : Only in terms of pressure to deliver wins – and fast. Hibs have a stronger squad than their league position suggests. Ross is a good manager and in a fortnight’s time could well be a cup-winning manager.
