Willie Collum admits to VAR blunder over Dundee penalty against Falkirk that never was
Steven Pressley has confirmed that the Scottish Football Association has acknowledged they should have been awarded a spot kick at Falkirk.
Willie Collum has confirmed that Dundee should have been awarded a penalty at Falkirk.
Steven Pressley has said that the Scottish Football Association's refereeing chief has acknowledged that his side should have been awarded a spot kick for Kyrell Wilson’s challenge on Ethan Hamilton.
Dundee had been 1-0 up at the time but ended up going on to lose 2-1.
Pressley confirmed: “David Longwell (Dundee’s technical manager) spoke to Willie and he was very honest and transparent, he said they got it wrong.
“He admitted it should have been a penalty kick.
“They’re obviously disappointed they got it wrong but were honest.”
Pressley believes the transparency from Collum is good, but lessons need to be learned from his officials.
The Dundee head coach admitted: “It doesn’t help us now, but I’ve found Willie to be very open and transparent.
“He very much wants to communicate and isn’t one for hiding the truth, he will admit to any poor decision they’ve made.
“So I have no concerns there, the concern is how they can get it wrong in the first place.
“There’s obviously a process in a situation like that but it didn’t work.
“It’s going to be a learning curve for them.
“The concern is the communication between the officials and whether they were both looking at the same thing at the same time.
“That’s what I’m unsure about, was the communication between the official and VAR correct at the time?”
This is Pressley’s first time with VAR.
He joked it has been something of a mixed bag.
Pressley stated: “VAR has been good against Celtic, not so good against Falkirk or Rangers!
“I understand in certain situations there will be controversy because in certain fouls there will be split decisions on whether something should be given or not.
“The thing for me is that last weekend, I don’t think that was one of those cases.
“I thought it was very clear to everyone who saw it that it was a penalty.
“Sometimes you get ones where people will debate and one half believe it was, the other half will say it wasn’t.
“There will be times you have to accept that because some incidents and open to human opinion.
“But on this one, it was very much a penalty kick - and definitely not a booking for Ethan.”
Dundee head to table-topping Hearts this weekend. Pressley will also have to go up against his former club without Yan Dhanda because he is on-loan from the Jambos.
Pressley has a clean bill of health beyond that and has a few selection headaches ahead of their capital trip.
He claimed: “Apart from Yan Dhanda, who can’t play because it’s Hearts, we will have everyone available.
“They’re all fit and ready to go so that leaves me with a few decisions to make - which is a good position to be in.
“As a staff we discuss these things, including the substitutes and what you need to change a game when required.
“Football has changed quite a bit with five subs these days so it’s a hugely important aspect of it that you have to get right.
“The dynamic has changed a fair bit, you have a lot to consider.
“The subs who came on against Falkirk influenced the game in a positive manner, so that gives you something to consider as well.
“The good thing is we have a really competitive squad with everyone training to a really high level.
“So it’s making my job difficult in that respect - which is good.”