Wouter Vrancken laments VAR decision over disallowed Hearts goal as he makes 'rules are clear' argument

Wouter Vrancken says VAR’s intervention in disallowing a Hearts goal during their 1-1 draw with Kilmarnock was ‘strange.’

Stephen Kingsley struck late into the game to secure a point for the Jambos after Joe Hugill opened scoring for Killie. JJ Williams passed up chances to win the match for Hearts but head coach Vrancken was unhappy over why VAR official Matthew MacDermid instructed match referee Duncan Nicolson to rule out a possible opener for Laurent Mendy.

The midfielder’s effort was deflected in by Killie defender Cathal McCarthy but the summer signing from Forest Green Rovers was deemed to have committed handball in the build-up. A similar incident played out during Manchester United’s 5-2 win over Ipswich Town in the Premier League during August where Harry Maguire’s attempt was going wide before Jacob Greaves bundled it into his own. It was ruled an own goal, therefore, Maguire’s handball in the build-up meant did not merit VAR cutting out the key second United goal in that encounter.

What refereeing controversy occurred during Kilmarnock 1-1 Hearts

He explained: “The rules are clear about it, I think. We saw it also in the Manchester United-Ipswich game. We just took the image in the dressing room also. It's clear about the rules. For me, when it's such a clear situation, it's strange that VAR comes in between and rules wrong. It's simple. I get the rules, because we had a meeting last week about the laws of the game, and the refs did their explanation.

“I like to see those things, because you take it with you, but when you don't see them applied in the game, then I'm thinking this is strange. Of course there are some situations, grey zones, and then it's difficult also for the refs. But this was a really clear situation and they ruled it wrong. For me, it's also decisive in the game.

“Otherwise, you are 1-0 ahead, we were good in the game, we could control the game. It was also a decisive moment. It's strange, because when it's not an intentional handball, even if it's not intentional, and the goalscorer scores. I don't blame the ref, that's clear. It's just a VAR decision here. He gets in his ear that the goalscorer touched the ball with his hand, and then it's goal denied, 100%.

On the game, Vrancken added: “It's a shame that we drew, because we had to win this game. It's simple. Chances against and chances for us. It's simple mathematics, I think. We had to score more goals, for sure. Obviously, a disallowed goal makes a big difference, because it was not a good decision.

Hearts Head Coach Wouter Vrancken applauds fans at full time during a William Hill Premiership match between Kilmarnock and Heart of Midlothian at BBSP Stadium Rugby Park | SNS Group

Kilmarnock 1-1 Hearts assessed

“Then we gave it away. Too easy. It's not possible because we showed the exact image before the game. You have to just pick up the run and nothing happens. It's a pity because after that goal you saw not so much responsibility anymore and too much loss of quality after the goal. In the second half, we played a good second half with dominance and good chances. The efficiency was not high enough because we had to score more goals.”

Neil McCann meanwhile was left with ‘pride’ after Kilmarnock’s response to a tough league start. They have drawn away to Aberdeen - who eliminated them from the Premier Sports Cup a week later on penalties - and defeated Hibs at Easter Road prior to this share of spoils.

The Killie boss said: “There is an element of frustration and real disappointment for them. You can say if you are looking at it from an objective point of view that Hearts pushed us and had some chances on goal. I am not going to sit and say otherwise, but in terms of sheer endeavour, digging in, they were asking us all sorts of questions.

“Wouter made a number of changes to put us under pressure to give them a change of attack, and us some different problems to solve. When you get so late into the match you are just trying to see it out. It’s not even a brilliant delivery as it’s just sort of hung in the air a little bit. We are first to the connection, don’t connect with it properly, and it ends up in the net. Alongside being disappointment, there is still an enormous amount of pride, from where we started and the pressure the boys have been under. I am steadfast in my belief of this team. They are punching so hard for this club to get it to where we want to be.”