Celtic’s trip to Tynecastle next Saturday will be played with VAR in operation.
The SPFL had planned to introduce the technology after the World Cup break but successful trials have brought forward the start date.
Virtually nothing has emerged from the trials that have been in place since the start of the season or the names of the VAR officials.
Discussing the introduction of VAR, today The Sun announced:
They are now ready to kick it off in all six top-flight fixtures on the weekend of October 21 and 22.
Hibs and St Johnstone will make history by using VAR when they meet on Friday, October 21 at 7.30pm.
The first televised use of the system will be at Hearts’ home clash with Premiership leaders Celtic on Saturday, October 22, at 12.30pm.
Six VAR cameras will cover each SPFL fixture but it is believed that for televised matches all of the Sky Sports cameras will be in use to help with decisions.
Hearts v Celtic is one of the most fiery fixtures on the calendar with last season’s matches at Tynecastle laced with controversy.
In the opening game of the season Andy Halliday raked his studs down Callum McGregor’s ankle before a late ‘goal’ from Liel Abada was wrongly disallowed for offside.
The introduction of VAR will have a big impact on offside with the flag staying down and decisions checked only once play has come to a natural halt rather than on the say-so of an assistant referee.
Andy Halliday & Bobby Madden #pals pic.twitter.com/CNCQf91wwF
— We Won It First ?? (@liamt67) July 31, 2021
Thank The Lord God that this day is finally near – I’ll drink a bottle of malt to celebrate it’s introduction… will it be perfect – not a snowballs chance in hell – but it’ll make it harder to cheat The Hoops and teams like St. Mirren on Saturday and all the other opponents of Sevco !