Kilmarnock get VAR apology from Willie Collum for Hearts clash blunder but Derek McInnes insists 'that's not enough'
Kilmarnock have received an apology from Willie Collum for the VAR blunder that contributed to last weekend’s defeat at Hearts.
Derek McInnes revealed the SFA refs chief admitted Elton Kabangu’s opener in the 3-2 loss shouldn’t have stood. McInnes was stunned video referee Andrew Dallas didn’t intervene to advise whistler John Beaton of offside against Kabangu in the build-up. Despite Collum conceding the Killie boss was right, McInnes is fuming at another costly failure by VAR.
McInnes said: “I spoke to the head of the referees on Monday, Willie, and got an apology for the first goal that was given against us. It should have been given for offside. It’s good that there’s an honesty and admission of that. But it’s not good enough because it’s not as if it was subjective. We saw refereeing decisions at the weekend where it has still been subjective and it comes on the referee. But the fact that VAR doesn’t get involved in this case? Those are protocols and procedures that should be, by this time, a prerequisite, a fundamental.
“That the attacking phase of play should be checked properly, as it should be for every goal. I can’t for the life of me understand how they’ve not given offside there. I’ve spoken to Willie and that’s been confirmed. It is so disappointing.
“It’s not up to Willie to apologise because it’s not his call. But my version of events was how he saw it as well. We had a case for that goal to be disallowed.”
McInnes never hid from the fact Killie made errors of their own as they dropped to second bottom of the Premiership. They have been firmly addressed in the countdown to Saturday evening’s Rugby Park clash with Dundee United.
McInnes added: “We’d a good meeting on Tuesday, an honest discussion, because there were a couple of mistakes – for the second then the third goal. And there was a mistake from the officials for their first goal. But in terms of still trying to be positive, there’s no doubt we have to be.
“We feel the performance in itself – shots on target, corners, pressure, good bits of play at times – was one to be positive about. We deserved something.”
McInnes is confident of having Brad Lyons back in the side but Matty Kennedy’s back problems mean it will be at least another fortnight until he’s seen. He said: “Unfortunately the game is going to come too quickly for Matty. It’s a real frustration he is not in contention.”
