Hibs chief backs goal-line technology after row over Chisholm clearance

Published on Thursday 14 May 2009 09:43

HIBS boss Mixu Paatelainen today backed calls for goal-line technology after a controversial clearance by Easter Road star Ross Chisholm left Rangers' SPL title hopes in the balance.

The midfielder was on the line to hook away a net-bound effort from Ibrox striker Nacho Novo, who later cancelled out Derek Riordan's opener, to leave Rangers incensed at assistant referee Martin Cryans' refusal to award a goal. Chisholm was adamant it hadn't crossed the line and television pictures proved to be inconclusive with Paatelainen claiming the whole ball wasn't over.

However, today, while praising Cryans for getting the decision right, Paatelainen admitted the time was right to use technology in such circumstances.

He said: "I'm all for it. I think technology should be used in football. We have advanced from the days when there was no television and no cameras, now we have it so why not use it?"

While television couldn't provide a definitive answer last night, Paatelainen believes miniature cameras embedded in the goal frame could be one answer, although he insisted the question was one for football's authorities to resolve.

Admitting that, like Rangers manager Walter Smith, he'd probably have felt his side had scored had the incident happened at the other end, Paatelainen said: "It was impossible to say from where I was but I have seen it on television and I don't feel the whole ball was over the line. The linesman was in the correct position and deserves credit by being firm and doing his job right."

The 1-1 draw leaves Rangers level on points with Celtic, although Gordon Strachan's side have a two-goal advantage as they prepare to head to Easter Road on Sunday with Paatelainen promising they can expect the same reception as their Old Firm rivals.

He said: "I'll be looking for more of the same, we are not trying to do any favours to anyone, we are just looking after ourselves and trying to do as well as we can.

"It will be another difficult match, Celtic will come having rested for quite a few days."

Taking a first point of the season from Rangers gave Paatelainen some comfort, although he was disappointed not to have held on to all three, questioning whether Hibs goalkeeper Yves Ma-Kalambay was impeded as he attempted to deal with a Christian Dailly header before Novo levelled.

He said: "Rangers put us under a lot of pressure in the second half. Unfortunately we could not quite hold on but I was pleased with the effort.

"I felt the goal was one we could and should have done better at. I don't know if there was a foul on Ma-Ka, he seemed to have the ball in his hands but there were so many bodies in there."