Summary

  • Kukharevych heads in Cadden cross as break looms

  • Magennis dismissed for second yellow card before Clark & May turn game around

  • First two goals awarded after official VAR checks

  • VAR makes Scottish Premiership debut in front of sell-out crowd

  • Win would ensure Hibs end weekend in third; St Johnstone currently ninth

  1. 'Some decisions will remain contentious'published at 19:13 BST 21 October 2022

    Hibernian v St Johnstone (19:30)

    Michael Stewart
    Former Hearts midfielder on Sportsound

    Quote Message

    There is still a huge element of decisions being subjective. For things like handballs and penalty kicks, they'll still be up for debate massively

  2. Meet the officialspublished at 19:10 BST 21 October 2022

    Hibernian v St Johnstone (19:30)

    It's no surprise the SFA have gone for an experienced team of officials as VAR makes its bow.

    Kevin Clancy is the referee, with Willie Collum appointed as VAR. The assistant VAR is Graeme Stewart. Stewart will continue to watch the game as it unfolds while Collum reviews incidents.

    There is a three-person team at VAR HQ watching this game, with a replay operator helping them get all the right angles.

    The referee taking charge of tonight's match is Kevin Clancy, with Willie Collum in the VAR chairImage source, Scottish FA
    Kevin ClancyImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Kevin Clancy is tonight's referee

  3. All you need to know about VARpublished at 19:07 BST 21 October 2022

    Hibernian v St Johnstone (19:30)

    If you want more detail on how VAR will operate in Scotland, my colleague Scott Mullen has compiled a good explainer piece.

    Have a gander at it here.

    It's worth noting one of the things that the VAR cannot review. Second yellow cards.

    If a player who has already been cautioned commits a foul which probably should have warranted a second yellow, but was missed by the ref, the VAR cannot intervene.

    That's Fifa's rule. Nothing to do with the SFA or referees here.

    A VAR monitor during a cinch Premiership match between Hibs and Kilmarnock at Easter RoadImage source, SNS
  4. What will VAR check?published at 19:02 BST 21 October 2022

    Hibernian v St Johnstone (19:30)

    Let's be clear about what VAR will review.

    • All goals scored
    • Straight red cards (either missed or given)
    • Penalty incidents
    • Mistaken identity

    The VAR, who tonight is Willie Collum, will perform checks on these incidents as a matter of course.

    If he and his assistant feel the referee has made a mistake they will recommend a review. If it's a subjective decision (e.g. Was that a foul in the penalty area?), the VAR will recommend the ref goes to the monitor.

    If it's a factual decision (e.g. a penalty was awarded but the foul was outside the box) the VAR will give the referee that information.

    The final call is ALWAYS taken by the on-field referee.

  5. Why is VAR coming in now?published at 18:57 BST 21 October 2022

    Hibernian v St Johnstone (19:30)

    St Johnstone boss Callum Davidson referenced the last time these two met on the opening day of the season when asked about VAR yesterday.

    He recalled the fact he had midfielder Murray Davidson sent off, while Marijan Cabraja was only booked for a similar tackle on Ryan McGowan. Hibs won 1-0 thanks to Josh Campbell's goal.

    That's why managers and clubs want VAR now, given it's ready, rather than waiting until next season. They voted for it.

    St Johnstone's Murray Davidson is sent off during a Premiership match between St Johnstone and Hibernian at McDiarmid ParkImage source, SNS
  6. Three changes for travelling Saintspublished at 18:54 BST 21 October 2022

    Hibernian v St Johnstone (19:30)

    St Johnstone manager Callum Davidson makes three changes to the side that lost 1-0 away to Livingston last time out.

    Stevie May, Theo Bair, and Jamie Murphy all drop to the bench.

    In come Connor McLennan, Nicky Clark, and the on-loan Adam Montgomery.

  7. Magennis starts for Hibspublished at 18:50 BST 21 October 2022

    Hibernian v St Johnstone (19:30)

    Hibs boss Lee Johnson makes three changes to the team thumped by Celtic last week.

    It looks like a back five as Rocky Bushiri, Marijan Cabraja and Kyle Magennis all start.

    Lewis Stevenson, Nohan Kenneh and striker Harry McKirdy are the players to make way.

    Kyle MagennisImage source, SNS
  8. LINE-UPS from Easter Roadpublished at 18:47 BST 21 October 2022

    Hibernian v St Johnstone (19:30)

    -Image source, BBC Sport

    Hibernian: Marshall, Cabraja, Bushiri, Porteous, Cadden, Hanlon, Newell, Campbell, Magennis, Boyle, Kukharevych.

    Substitutes: Schofield, Kenneh, Jair, Stevenson, Henderson, Mitchell, McKirdy, Youan, Fish.

    St Johnstone: Matthews, Brown, Considine, Mitchell, Gordon, Montgomery, Hallberg, McGowan, Wright, McLennan, Clark

    Substitutes: Parish, Crawford, Gallacher, Phillips, Kucheriavyi, Wotherspoon, May, Bair, Murphy

    -Image source, BBC Sport
  9. Friday night footballpublished at 18:45 BST 21 October 2022

    Hibernian v St Johnstone (19:30)

    I do love me some Friday night football. A couple of cans of juice, the game, up the road, and you have the rest of your weekend. Perfect.

    Anyway, a jam-packed Easter Road is where it's at tonight. St Johnstone are the visitors. VAR makes its Premiership debut.

    And, according to Hibs: "there will be live music to get supporters hyped before former Hibs captain Grant Brebner returns to Easter Road to bring out the match ball."

    We'll have all the drama right here.

    Easter RoadImage source, SNS