ONE of the items that came up a lot when I was doing various Q&A nights as well as hospitality at Morton was the controversial area of, wait for it, VAR.

The question would usually come in two parts.

What did I think of VAR?

Would I have liked it in my playing days?

Let’s look at the first one.

Fouls, offside decisions, potential upgrades from yellow to red cards are always going to be subjective and open to interpretation.

In theory, VAR and 21st century technology are the things that could and should make a ruling definitive.

(Image: BBC Sportscene) I think if the suits had the chance to start the VAR initiative all over again, they would jump at it.

Listen, I enjoyed the Premier League Cup Final on Sunday. A six-goal, extra-time, penalty shootout thriller that, although I felt it lacked that wee bit of extra quality, was a good advert for the Scottish game.

I remain a neutral in these situations and my reading of the Scales v Cerny encounter was that it would have been a penalty had the referee not already blown for the initial foul.

Such is life. Decisions come, decisions go, and you have to move on.

I do feel for the supporters though, as they sometimes don’t know whether to really celebrate a goal or wait for the dreaded VAR check.

That bores the life right out of me as it takes away from the game.

As to the second question?

No, I would not have enjoyed it as a player.

I saw loads of decisions going against my teammates and I back in the day. Some of them were beyond blatant and, as a squad, we would prepare to moan like a government backbencher about it while having a (cough!) small post-match refreshment.

Those decisions could cost you points or, worse, bonus money - even if that was often the equivalent of a Blue Peter badge!

However, come the next match, you move on. There’s always another game – another Christmas.

And on that note, folks, can I wish you all a very merry festive season!