Bobby Madden’s Rangers performance is more evidence refereeing is in crisis

The Dutchman has always been a cool customer, but even amidst still waters you could see the hint of a ripple when probed about VAR following the 1-1 draw with Dundee United. 

Asked about the frustration that develops from mistakes affecting such a tight title race he said: “I know but, what can we do?  

“There is no VAR so every decision the referee makes cannot be overturned so we have to respect the decision he made.  

“Last Thursday we see a VAR decision that changes the game for us, today maybe as well. We can talk for hours but the discussion ends because no VAR.” 

The slight exasperation felt in his tenor and body language was understandable.  

The Rangers Review has seen Van Bronckhorst emphasise his keenness to give Scottish referees the helping hand of VAR on multiple occasions and, relatively speaking, he’s only been in the door five minutes.  

The club hasn't been shy either.

They have been respectfully stressing the need to support the SFA with the introduction of VAR for some time. 

This is Stewart Robertson, three years ago to this day. 

He said “We are not for foreign referees as we want to support Scottish refs and we also want VAR brought in as soon as possible. 

READ MORE: Rangers reaction: Bobby Madden's 2 poor calls, a relentless second half and Helander's rusty 45 minutes

“We appreciate there is an implementation time for VAR but let’s start that process now and support our referees.” 

36 months on and the time is surely now, and if not now, when? 

As other nations who have embraced change and technology benefit from its impact, Scotland’s failure to implement looks increasingly embarrassing and small-time. 

Rangers felt the advantage of being on a bigger stage when two game-altering decisions in the Europa League against Borussia Dortmund helped them to a deserved win. 

So it will have been even more frustrating to return to domestic matters and be denied two clear penalties. 

This is how Scotland’s title race could ultimately be decided. Surely this is not a situation anyone wants? 

The decisions at Tannadice were simply baffling. Both situations were clear penalties that would have been easily cleared up with video footage for man in the middle Bobby Madden. 

The laws around handball maintain defenders must remain in a natural silhouette. Ross Graham had an arm extended out. The fact he tries to retract is neither here nor there. He failed. 

The second, a pull on Fashion Sakala that saw his jersey stretched back, is even more blatant. It was a stonewaller missed by both the referee and his assistant. 

There are other elements in the game that could be pulled apart but these two are so obvious and crucial to the final result, they stand above all else. 

While the club we focus on at The Rangers Review is obvious, it’s important to stress refereeing incompetence isn’t an issue that affects only those at Ibrox. 

Celtic took the unprecedented step of making “deep concerns” with Scottish refereeing public at their last AGM. 

Chairman Ian Bankier responded to a question on the subject by stating: “That is a source of deep concern. But we don’t run the SFA. We are a member club of which there are others and we get our shout, we get our say. 

“You can’t expect us with a flick of the wrist tell the SFA what to do and what not to do.” 

While Rangers’ haven’t made any public comment on the matter, it’s understood the Ibrox hierarchy are collating evidence of inconsistency in decision making and are mindful of commentary by other clubs relating to refereeing. 

So the two biggest teams in the land are unhappy with the status quo. Changes should follow, right? 

READ MORE: Giovanni van Bronckhorst Rangers Q+A in full: VAR 'turning points' and brutally honest '29 chances' admission

They must. And there are two places where the revolution should begin. 

Starting from next season, the tide of VAR can't be held back any longer.  

If we want to help shake off the notion we are a King Canute-esque, refusenik football culture, we need to embrace technology. 

While VAR was deeply divisive at first, it’s now widely accepted in the elite game.

In a sport that has become faster, more athletic and demanding with every passing decade, we have to help referees keep up the pace. 

This brings us to the second, obvious move. The days of part-time referees topping up their day job salaries with huge match fees should be consigned to the dustbin of history.  

If you want to be an elite level referee, you must be committed to the job, to improving your skills and becoming the best you can be. This is not a leisure activity pursuit.  

It’s impossible to believe the focus, practice and training that could be put in place over 40-hour working weeks wouldn’t make a significant impact on the quality of decision-making taken.  The old cliché that practice makes perfect has endured because it’s true.  

So it’s time for the pretence to end. We have a professional game that brings millions of pounds into the Scottish economy. We can’t have arguably the most important single individual on the pitch doing the job as a side hustle. 

With Rangers and Celtic both keen on significant change, it must happen.  

And if it doesn’t, the searching questions about why not will have to begin.