Motherwell striker Tony Watt says something needs to change in Scottish football VAR after it was ruled that his goal against Rangers should have stood on Sunday.
A fast-tracked SFA KMI review states that Jack Butland’s own goal as he punched Andy Halliday’s corner into his own net, under pressure from Watt, should have stood in the 2-2 Fir Park draw.
That would have put Motherwell 3-1 up at the time, and the striker is eager to take his frustration out on former club Hearts at Tynecastle this afternoon.
“I felt at the time it wasn’t a foul,” said the ex-Celtic striker. “I had my left arm up ready to head the ball, and it was level with Butland’s ear.
“It is what it is, you feel like you have been wronged, but you can’t go back and change it.
“I said to Kevin Clancy at the time, they should send him to the monitor as you could see how long it was taking them to check.
“Kevin is one of the best referees in the country, he’s far from the problem.
“I just said if it takes that long he should have been asked to check it as if it was clear and obvious it would have taken 10 seconds.
“We had a meeting with Willie Collum at the start of the season. He’s probably one of the best referees the country has had for years.
“I don’t think VAR is the problem, I don’t know what it is. But every couple of weeks there are decisions that are incorrect.
“It can’t happen, because when we were sold VAR we were told it would be 90-plus per cent right.
“That’s a few we have had this season. I just feel if it’s not working now it needs to be fixed.
“I think we have the right ingredients, it’s about putting it together.”
Watt is keen to put that behind him and move on to the trip to Edinburgh, and hopes if he scores, this time it counts.
He said: “The first half against Rangers was as good as I’ve probably seen us. The second half we conceded two goals but probably should go further ahead.
“That’s not something we can dwell on.
“It’s always a good atmosphere at Tynecastle. It can be good or bad for the home team, if they are a goal or two up, it’s brilliant.
“But if they are down, then it can be really bad for them.
“It’s another game and while people say we are on a tough run, there are no easy runs in this league.”