Wouter Vrancken baffled by VAR call as early Hearts goal ruled out at Kilmarnock

Wouter Vrancken was left bewildered by the “strange” VAR decision to rule out an early Hearts goal in their 1-1 draw at bottom side Kilmarnock.

The Jambos started well and thought they had gone ahead in the 11th minute when Laurent Mendy’s effort – which appeared to be going wide – was diverted into the net by Killie defender Cathal McCarthy.

But VAR Matthew MacDermid advised referee Duncan Nicolson to rule it out as the ball had accidentally struck Mendy’s hand.

Killie went ahead a few minutes later through a Jamie McCart own goal before Hearts captain Stephen Kingsley equalised in the 86th minute.

But Vrancken was adamant his side should not have had to chase the game as – citing similarities with the recent incident involving Manchester United’s Harry Maguire against Ipswich – he felt Mendy’s inadvertent handball should have been rendered irrelevant by McCarthy heading the ball into the net.

“For me, when it’s such a clear situation, it’s strange that the VAR comes in between and rules wrong,” said the Belgian.

“We had a meeting last week about the laws of the game and the refs did their explanation but when you don’t see them applied in the game, then I’m thinking this is strange.

“This was a really clear situation and they ruled it wrong. It’s clear that the defender (McCarthy) scores the goal. We saw it in the Manchester United game that the goal has to stand so it’s a strange decision for me and, for me, it’s also decisive in the game.

“Otherwise, we are 1-0 ahead and we could have controlled the game.

“After that we played a good second half with dominance and good chances but the efficiency was not high enough because we had to score more goals.”

Vrancken explained that he substituted centre-back Stuart Findlay in the 32nd minute for not sticking to the game-plan when in possession.

“It was not good enough, especially when we got the ball,” he said. “Especially when they got 1-0 ahead, we knew we were going to be more dominant, because they were going to focus on block (defending).

“We had a clear game-plan, not so difficult, especially for the defenders. I don’t want them to take too many risks, but you have to execute a game-plan at that moment. And when not, then you have to change.”

Killie boss Neil McCann was disappointed not to close out victory but proud of his team’s effort as they made it three league games in a row unbeaten.

“Hearts were asking us all sorts of questions but in terms of sheer endeavour and actually digging in, I thought we had a wee bit of comfort in defending as well,” he said.

“When you get so late into the match, you’re just trying to see it out so I’m disappointed but there’s still an enormous amount of pride.

“To go away to Pittodrie, away to Easter Road and then take on Hearts tonight, to pick up five points from that is really ballsy.”