Mike Dean Slams VAR in Scottish League After Rangers’ Controversial Goal Denied Against Hibernian
The Scottish Premiership clash between Rangers and Hibernian on May 17, 2025, ended in a dramatic 2-2 draw, but the result was overshadowed by a contentious VAR decision that denied Rangers a clear goal. Former Premier League referee Mike Dean, known for his forthright opinions, joined the chorus of criticism, slamming the use of VAR in the Scottish League as inadequate and calling for urgent reforms, including the introduction of goal-line technology.
The controversy erupted in the first half at Easter Road when Rangers midfielder Nicolas Raskin appeared to bundle the ball over the line, seemingly doubling his team’s lead after Cyriel Dessers’ early opener. However, referee Nick Walsh waved play on, and VAR failed to intervene, citing a lack of conclusive evidence to confirm the ball had fully crossed the line. Moments later, Hibernian capitalized, with Kieron Bowie equalizing to make it 1-1. The decision left Rangers players, fans, and pundits fuming, with one Scottish commentator labeling it “corrupt” and “the worst decision I’ve seen in all my years in football.” The commentator’s colleague attempted to temper the accusation, but the outrage was palpable.
Mike Dean, weighing in on the incident, expressed disbelief at the failure of VAR to rectify what many deemed an obvious error. “This is exactly why trust in VAR is crumbling,” Dean stated. “The technology is only as good as the people using it, and in this case, they’ve let the game down. If the ball is clearly over the line—and replays suggest it was—there’s no excuse for not awarding the goal. Scotland needs goal-line technology now, not tomorrow.” Dean’s comments echo a growing sentiment that the Scottish League lags behind other major European competitions in adopting reliable officiating tools.
Rangers, incensed by the call, issued a scathing statement post-match, condemning the officiating and demanding action from the Scottish FA. “Incidents like this again bring into question the effectiveness of VAR and highlight the need to introduce goal-line technology in Scottish football,” the club declared. “Our supporters, players, and staff deserve better. We will raise this with the Scottish FA and continue to press for initiatives which improve the accuracy of decision-making.” Interim manager Barry Ferguson called the decision “mind-blowing” and “baffling,” reflecting the frustration felt across the club.
The fallout has reignited debates about VAR’s implementation in Scottish football. Critics argue that without goal-line technology, which provides definitive rulings on whether a ball has crossed the line, such controversies will persist. Posts on X captured the fans’ anger, with one user stating, “Rangers clearly score, ball over the line, and VAR does nothing? Scottish football needs to sort this out.” Another called it “a shambles,” reflecting the widespread discontent.
This incident adds to a string of VAR-related controversies in the Scottish Premiership, raising questions about officiating standards. As Rangers and their supporters demand answers, Mike Dean’s call for modernization underscores the urgent need for Scottish football to invest in technology that ensures fairness and accuracy, preventing decisions that taint the game’s integrity.
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