Old Firm ref unsure of technology

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Referee Dougie McDonald speaks to BBC Scotland's John Barnes about Old Firm pressure

Referee Dougie McDonald has said he remains unconvinced that technology would significantly improve the decision-making process for officials.

However, speaking to BBC Sport, the official for Sunday's Old Firm match admitted the 'challenge' system used in tennis could possibly improve the game.

"Any scenario would require a lot of careful study," said McDonald.

"All of them would change the dynamic of football and I'm not in favour of changing the game dramatically."

Scrutiny of decisions made by Scottish referees has been intense this season following incidents at matches involving Rangers and Celtic that affected the outcome of the result.

After Celtic's 3-0 victory over Falkirk last weekend, captain Stephen McManus admitted he had handled the ball into the net and Falkirk head coach John Hughes spoke out in his post-match interview against referee Ian Brines' decision to award the goal.

Someone suggested that maybe we should do something like tennis, where each club has the opportunity to challenge an incident one or two times during a match. Referee Dougie McDonald

But McDonald remains unconvinced that instant video playbacks could prove conclusive in every contentious situation.

"Over the years, I've moved from being completely against technology to being completely for it and now I'm somewhere in-between," said McDonald.

"Obviously the referee wants to be seen as having the perfect game and, if technology was developed to do that, we would be delighted.

"But, equally, the game is the game because of the way it is played and the nature of football being a dynamic sport.

"Someone suggested that maybe we should do something like tennis, where each club has the opportunity to challenge an incident one or two times during a match."

As the referee in Sunday's Old Firm encounter, McDonald's decisions will again be the focus of intense scrutiny, both from fans of the Glasgow clubs and the wider media.

McDonald admitted that preparation and communication by the match officials prior to kick-off is crucial to a smooth Old Firm encounter but that tensions can often adversely affect the behaviour of the players and the crowd.

I understand that passions run high in the top fixtures Referee Dougie McDonald

"Obviously, the TV coverage and the media coverage is great at any Old Firm game," he said.

"But, when we start the match, our focus is on making sure the game passes off without incident.

"It's crucial that our teamwork is as good as the players' teamwork - it's very much a team game.

"We're in constant communication and it's crucial that we're 100% on the day.

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"I understand that passions run high in the top fixtures.

"The players have obviously got a great focus on winning the match. I've got a great focus on making sure whoever wins does so in a fair manner and I want the match to pass off without incident or controversy.

"To do that means communication with the players, understanding their passions - and they also have to understand that I have a role to play."