Dundee boss Steven Pressley calls for greater investment in VAR to help officials

Dundee manager Steven Pressley called for greater investment in VAR upgrades for the Scottish Premiership following his side’s dramatic 2-2 draw with Kilmarnock.

Joe Westley’s penalty, in the 13th minute of stoppage time, was saved by Kelle Roos to deny the Dark Blues victory.

After Kilmarnock defender Jamie Brandon was penalised for a foul on Scott Wright, VAR attempted to establish if there was an offside in advance of the infringement.

Six minutes elapsed before referee Ross Hardie made a trip to the monitor.

A further two minutes later, Roos rescued a point for Kilmarnock to move them to within two points of St Mirren in the battle to avoid the relegation play-off spot.

Pressley insisted he sympathised with Hardie and company as VAR attempted to unravel the offside issue via the available footage.

He said: “It’s crazy. I actually feel for our officials. I don’t put any blame on our officials – none at all.

“We’ve put them in a really, really difficult situation.

“The problem we have in this country is the lack of investment into the technology that’s required.

“As a result, it’s really difficult for them to make the correct decision because our technology is not fit for purpose.

“That’s the reality. In a situation like that, it is absolutely so crucial for both teams that it’s the correct decision.

“I know that they were having trouble deciding whether it was offside or not.

“And, of course, without that technology, it’s near-on impossible. They’re nearly guessing.

“And we can’t leave our officials exposed to that type of situation. It’s so wrong.

“I think we have to support our officials better and that will only come from the SFA giving the appropriate investment in our game.”

Pressley had little doubt that the lengthy wait affected substitute Westley.

“You have the penalty-taker having to wait seven minutes or so – and not for the first time,” Pressley said.

“I don’t want to put the blame on that, but I think it’s far from ideal. There is no blame at Joe’s door.

“The one thing I do know is that there will be more penalties missed in his career.”

Dundee dropped to ninth as a result of the draw but have a five-point cushion over Killie.

Rugby Park boss Neil McCann insisted his team did more than enough to warrant a victory.

Joe Hugill’s 14th-minute opener was cancelled out by Simon Murray. Michael Schjonning-Larsen restored the advantage before the break.

Scott Wright’s first goal of his loan spell from Birmingham levelled the contest in the 81st minute.

“That’s a game we should have won,” said McCann. “We were the better side. It feels tough right now; I think we deserve three points.

“But, in hindsight, when you look at the end of that game, you might be thankful for what we’ve got.

“I’m so confident in our group. If they continue to play their best and how we want them to play then we’ll get to where we want to be in the table.”