STEPHEN ROBINSON says VAR must be embraced by the whole of Scottish football this week – despite its flaws.

The St Mirren manager accepts Video Assistant Referee will not be a cure for every contentious match-officiating issue the Premiership throws up.

And he conceded that the caution, voiced by SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell, of a testing time bedding in the technology was understandable.

Yet Robinson is convinced it was essential that Scotland’s top flight didn’t languish behind the developments in other leagues around the football world.

Robinson, whose fourth-placed team entertain Dundee United on launch weekend this Saturday, said: “It has to come in.

“I am not a referee-basher in any shape or form. I think they do the job to the best of their ability, but everybody needs help.

“They’re human beings, they make mistakes, we all make mistakes and I think the more help officials get, the better for the Scottish game as a whole.

“It’s not foolproof, we’ve seen that in England. A lot goes into it but it’s still the human eyes who look at the decisions so there’s still human error involved.

“But we’ve got the technology so we must use it. Listen, we’re the top league in this country and need to have the same technology as other leagues - otherwise Scotland would fall behind.

“It will be different, but I do believe it will take the game forward. I genuinely believe it will help officials make more correct decisions. “Although they won’t get everything right, it will certainly reduce the errors that are getting made.

“There’s no point arguing about it because it’s part of the game now. I think it will be beneficial, though it might take a bit of getting used to.”

Robinson admits the explainer meeting with referees and VAR operating staff was an education.

Each Premiership club was granted a preparatory briefing in advance of Friday’s launch for Hibernian against St Johnstone.

Robinson has seen countless VAR-managed matches on TV and in the flesh and taken part in one when on the coaching staff of Northern Ireland.

But he gained a far greater understanding of how the system will work thanks to the demonstration at their Paisley base.

Robinson said: “They came in a couple of weeks ago and spoke to us. They were asking us to make the decision - and we still get the wrong decision!

“I think the enlightening thing for everyone was how far it goes back when they take a look.

“When you first gain possession of the ball, so it’s a long way back at times.

“And how the process of elimination works in making a decision in terms of ruling out the goal, ruling out offside, then ruling out a foul. Everyone has to be careful, you can’t get away with anything now.

“I’ve been involved in a VAR game at international level. There weren’t any controversial decisions so didn’t really see the delay and it didn’t affect us.

“A lot of the boys who’ve played for their national teams have been involved too.

“I was a big advocate of it before it came in down south. There’s been a bit of a sticky patch with it.

“We all want change, then we get change and we moan about that! When your job is on the line, decisions make or break you. We’re in an industry where these small margins affect us.

“But it’s the way football is going and we all have to embrace it. I’m glad it’s coming in.

“I’d just better control sprinting up and down the touchline too early after a goal as I might end up with a red face!”