Goal difference could play a significant factor in this season's title race.
So when Rangers had a strike chalked off against Aberdeen on Saturday evening, it had to be a decision brought about after the intervention of VAR.
Bojan Miovski had come off the bench for the Ibrox outfit against his old club and, with the score sitting at 3-1, he found the roof of the net after some good work down the flank by Djeidi Gassama.
It looked a fine finish with little in the build-up to suggest anything other than another Gers goal to ensure they stayed within touching distance of Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts.
Referee Matthew MacDermid had given the goal but was soon called to the monitors to see that the ball had cannoned off Connor Barron's arm before the attack. And despite the incident coming a few phases in play behind the run from Gassama, it was still ruled out.
It was a moment of confusion before play continued and former Rangers attacker Steven Naismith was left bemused as to why VAT intervened. The ex-Hearts boss believes the goal should have stood.
“I can’t understand why that’s been pulled back,” he told BBC Sportsound. “I know it’s hit his (Barron) arm, but what is he meant to do with his arm?
“It’s the amount of play beyond the ball hitting his arm. It’s not as if it goes straight into the goal from the hand. There’s still a lot of work there. I’m very surprised VAR got involved.”
The Light Blues would go on to win the fixture 4-1 either way when James Tavernier whipped in a stunning free-kick off the underside of the crossbar to add to goals from Tochi Chukwuani, Mikey Moore and Nico Raskin.
But with the title race likely heading right to the wire, referee decisions and ruled out goals must be absolutely perfect from the officials' point of view.
The difference between winning and losing the trophy come the end of May could be a solitary strike given how close proceedings are right now.
Decisions from referees have come under scrutiny this term and we told you this weekend how Rangers recently proposed a meeting between all Premiership clubs to discuss standards in this country.
Share