Two former referees have hit out after hearing the VAR audio from the decision to allow Lawrence Shankland's goal for Hearts against Rangers.
The opening goal during the 2-0 home defeat came from the visitors No.9 after a good move involving Claudio Braga. However, there appeared to be a handball from Shankland in the build-up and the man himself was clearly seen telling teammates he thought it would be ruled out.
But the goal was awarded and Hearts went on to win 2-0, the same player scoring from a rebound after Jack Butland saved his penalty late on.
Referees' chief Willie Collum has admitted the decision was wrong and the audio of discussions between referee Steven McLean and VAR Greg Aitken were released yesterday.
Aitken was heard saying the handling was “completely accidental” and McLean said he didn’t feel “it was a deliberate movement”.
Former whistlers Steve Conroy and Des Roache have now slammed the pair using the X account of their Ref’s View podcast.
They said: “We will do a full review of Willievision on our podcast next week but this can’t wait.
“‘Completely accidental’ is fairly obvious but it should have no relevance on this decision, the VAR audio for this is amongst the worst we have heard.
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“It sounds like it is, shambolic.”
Collum had said on Sky Sports’ Scottish Football VAR Review Show: “This is clearly in the attacking phase of play and should have been brought back.
“I don’t think it is a deliberate handball. I think the VAR is correct in their assessment with that, because they rarely are, to be fair, but what we need to talk about here is it a punishable handball.
“We’ve looked at several handballs cuts today and we would agree that the majority of them are not deliberate handballs, but punishable. And for us, Lawrence Shankland’s arm is too far out here.
We will do a full review of Willievision on our podcast next week but this can’t wait.
“Completely accidental” is fairly obvious but it should have no relevance on this decision, the VAR audio for this is amongst the worst we have heard.
It sounds like it is, shambolic. https://t.co/LrtIWSGbnu— The Ref’s View (@TheRefsView) October 10, 2025
“This is also a good example to demonstrate as a deflection onto the arm. You know, you could argue, does it come from the body or does it come from the top of the shoulder onto the arm, so that should help people understand we’re saying this is punishable, but it’s a deflection.
“But in our opinion, there’s enough [contact], the arm is out, far enough from the body here for this to be given.
“It is definitely in the attacking phase of play. It can’t be a factual overturn because Shankland doesn’t take control of the ball, then go up the pitch and immediately score. There’s several passes in between.
“So this would have required the VAR to bring the referee to the monitor here, but in our opinion, this goal should have been disallowed for a punishable handball in the attacking phase of play.”
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