Keith Hackett has suggested the Scottish Premiership, Celtic and Rangers should “experiment” with VAR-light if the cost of using VAR is too expensive.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee delivered his verdict after Scottish Premiership clubs delay on making a decision on the introduction of VAR.

The Daily Mail reported on Monday (21 February) that clubs are “wavering” as it is now set to cost them £100,000-per-season after original estimates put that figure at £80,000.

A VAR-light system would involve four cameras rather than eight and no offside lines so the cost would be reduced.

BBC Sport reported earlier this month (18 February) the EFL and Women’s Super League were in talks over introducing VAR-light.

“Cleary, Fifa and the IFAB recognise there are many countries that cannot afford VAR hence them going for VAR-light which is a lower-cost option,” Hackett told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.

“For me, it’s a no brainer for the Scottish FA have to go with VAR. I understand the difficulties on that because of cost.

“An option is the current experiment that has been running in Poland and Brazil for some months that is a low-cost option.

“Maybe they should explore that? I would suggest that.

“If they are worried about the costs, there is VAR-light and as a league, they can use that as a league on an experimental basis.”

Celtic and Rangers are both big supporters of bringing VAR into Scotland.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst reasserted his support earlier this week (20 February), via the Daily Record, after Rangers were denied two penalties in their 1-1 draw with Dundee United.

This article was originally posted here