VAR 'not fit for purpose', says Robinson

Manager Stephen Robinson says Scottish football's VAR system is "not fit for purpose" following recent controversy over disallowed St Mirren goals.

The Buddies had a late goal chalked off in their 2-2 draw with Hearts last month and Scottish FA head of referee operations Willie Collum admitted it should have stood, saying the VAR process was "too forensic".

Collum was also "disappointed with the process" that led to the Paisley side having a goal ruled out in the 3-0 home defeat to Hibernian just before the international break.

Robinson has not been convinced by the technology, or its application.

"I won't talk about separate incidents but in terms of VAR itself, it's been three-and-a-half years now and I don't see an improvement with it," the Buddies boss said.

"For me, VAR isn't fit for purpose in the form that we have it in this this country. When it comes to minuscule and small decisions, I don't believe the system's accurate enough. We're paying for a product that isn't delivering.

"In any other walk of life you take the product back so that's probably all I need to say on it. I don't believe that the system's working.

"Scottish football fans, Scottish clubs are paying for it. It is not free. Ultimately, have to ask yourself is it making Scottish football better? No.

"We're probably in a really good position to talk about it for the last three-and-a-half years.

"But I'm talking about the whole of Scottish football, your Dundee United, Hearts, Rangers, Celtic. We're all putting money into something that over time doesn't seem to have improved.

"The actual system itself. Small margins which these decisions are being made on now is not accurate enough. That has been proven over the last couple of weeks.

"Would that (money) not be better invested into players? I can get maybe two top players with that in terms of our level.

"Fans can maybe get tickets reduced or facilities could be improved. Every club can benefit, training facilities from the money we're putting into that.

"I don't believe it's helping Scottish football in any shape or form."