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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Ewan Paton

McInnes laments VAR as he namechecks 'scoffing' Celtic boss Postecoglou in rant

Derek McInnes insists Kilmarnock has had "zilch" from VAR since its introduction into the Premiership.

The Killie manager reckons the likes of Celtic's Ange Postecoglou want to walk a mile in his shoes to know what it's really like to receive no beneficial decisions from the video technology.

Saturday saw the latest refereeing and VAR drama involving the Ayrshire club this season. 

Despite a clear-cut view of the incident, on-field official Chris Graham failed to award a penalty to Killie after a blatant handball by St Johnstone defender Andy Considine.

Inexplicably, VAR checked the incident for around three minutes and concluded there was no further action required.

It was later revealed by McInnes that Considine admitted he got away with one.

Other major talking points from the game at Rugby Park were Kyle Vassell's disallowed goal for handball, as well as Rory McKenzie's claim for a spot kick.

McInnes is adamant that a number of calls have gone against Killie with VAR.

When analysing the numerous individual incidents in recent months, it's hard to argue that they've not had the rub of the green with it.

Earlier this term, Postecoglou claimed that several VAR calls had gone against Celtic, while club officials went to the Scottish FA about their grievances.

Citing the Australian as one example, McInnes hinted he's the one with proper gripes.

He said: "On the decision with big Andy Considine. He was like that to me, 'I don't know how I got away with that'. He knew right away it's hit his arm. It's fully extended.

"I asked the referee, 'Why were you not asked to look at that?' He told me VAR said they had checked it, and there was no need to look at it.

"For our disallowed goal, the fourth official tried to explain to me during the game when he said the ball had hit Kyle Vassell's arm before he put it over the line. He said any player who handles the ball and gets an obvious advantage for a goal has to be penalised.

"I haven't seen the Rory McKenzie penalty claim again. I actually thought the referee had a decent game. But it's like VAR was brought in to help and aid the referees, and give them that chance to have a second look at things.

"I think we seem to be looking at so many things that aren't needing to be looked at again, and so many things we should be looking at again, particularly that penalty kick.

"It's frustrating. You hear Ange Postecoglou and whoever talking and almost scoffing at VAR as if they get nothing. While we, if you look at it, have had zilch. Honestly, it's ridiculous. We don't seem to get any breaks at all.

"I thought we performed well. Saints are notoriously hard to play against."

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