It might not be everybody's cup of tea, but Jim Goodwin insists he’s all for VAR coming into force in Scotland.
Premiership clubs are reportedly set to vote on the introduction of VAR early next year, having attended a meeting earlier this month where the prospect of introducing video referees was well received.
St Mirren manager Goodwin has always been a vocal supporter of introducing the system, already in place across many top European leagues, to help referees in Scotland get more decisions right more often.
And after a number of controversial decisions during the latest round of midweek fixtures, he’s keeping his fingers crossed it could be introduced as early as the start of the next season.
Goodwin told Renfrewshire Live Sport: “I don’t think they’ll be able to bring it in midway through during this season.
“But I’d love to see it in for next season, I really would.
“I think we should aim to get it in as early as that. We’re one of the few countries in the top leagues out there that haven’t got it.
“Hopefully we can find the funding necessary to make it happen. I think it would be a great thing to introduce into our game.
“I know there was a lot of teething problems early on, and a lot of frustration from supporters because of the delay in being able to celebrate scoring a goal.
“But I think it can only be a positive thing. The referees here and in every other country need support and the best assistance they can get.
“By bringing in VAR I think it takes out a lot of grey areas. There won’t be as many wrong decisions than what we’ve seen in years gone by.
“I support our officials whole-heartedly. They make decisions based on what they see at that given time.
“When you’ve got the hindsight and the benefit of watching something back two or three times from different angles, nine times out of ten you’ll get the right decision.
“That’s all we can ask for and hopefully the powers that be can find a way to bring it in for next season.”
St Mirren face Dundee in Paisley tomorrow hoping to get back to winning ways after following up their 2-1 defeat to Rangers with a dramatic 2-2 draw with Motherwell on Wednesday night.
James McPake’s men make the journey south on the back of a painful 5-0 home thrashing at the hands of Ross County, and Goodwin anticipates a difficult afternoon against the struggling Dens Park side despite that dismal defeat.
Goodwin said: “They’ll be very much a wounded animal, no doubt.
“We would expect a reaction from them and I’m pretty sure James McPake and the Dundee supporters will be looking for the same.
“We’ll wait and see what line-up they’ll go with. Three games in seven or eight days is very demanding but I would expect their players to be right at it.
“They’ll be in our faces early doors to try and unsettle us, and to try and show the manager a positive reaction to a really disappointing, heavy defeat.
“Having conceded so many goals on Wednesday night, I’d expect James to set the team up quite defensively and first and foremost aim for a clean sheet.
“Hopefully we can reach the same levels as we did against Motherwell. I thought we moved the ball quickly and caused them plenty of problems.
“We’ll be asking the players for more of the same.”
