Aberdeen FC star wants VAR out of Scottish Premiership as Leighton Clarkson rues 'scary' gaffes costing his team

Frustrated Leighton Clarkson would love to see Scottish football bin VAR.

Aberdeen were left seething as the system broke down in last weekend’s draw at Livingston, which saw Bojan Miovski’s late winner chalked off. If that goal had stood then Aberdeen would still be in with an outside chance of making the top six . Clarkson reckons it is quite scary the number of VAR calls that have gone against his side. Clarkson, when asked if he would scrap VAR?, answered: “100 percent. “As footballers, we grew up watching last minute winners and goals. “Even now, you don’t know why the game is being stopped, for something 30 seconds before. “It is my opinion. We’ve had a lot of decisions go against us this season.

“Yes, you are going to gain and not gain at times but the amount of times we have been at a disadvantage over VAR is quite scary to be honest. VAR is not good. It is not improving, it is getting worse. It takes the excitement out of Scottish football and all football. I would like referees doing their own jobs.”

Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack had a similar view when he was questioned about VAR at their Annual General Meeting. VAR was brought in to improve the Scottish game but Clarkson feels it is taking over and making the game worse. The midfielder admitted: “It is frustrating. “We are all told at the start of the season how VAR is supposed to work and every game, I would say, is worse. “Referees aren’t really refereeing the games and there are calls - where before with VAR it was just a case of get on with it and play football.”

It is annoying for the players and he feels for the fans, with his mum and dad regularly being amongst them. Clarkson confirmed: “They hate it. “They are like fans in general. “We all grew up fans of the game but now if you score a goal, even the opposition, there is still some hope. “If we score we’ll score half-heartedly and wait two minutes before we get a decision.

“It takes the fans’ excitement out of the game as well. Football without VAR is better. I don’t know where we go from here, if I am being honest.”

Aberdeen are closing in on a deal to bring in Elfsborg manager Jimmy Thelin. He is expected to come in at the end of the season. It has been a long process but Clarkson understands that because it needs to be a long term appointment.

The former Liverpool youngster stated: “A club of this size, they want to get it right. “I have been here on loan and now and I’ve had a good few managers already. “Going into sacking managers a lot is not great, if I am being honest. “If they are taking their time and the next guy is in for three of four years and gets it back to where it should be then so be it.”