WHEN it comes to an age-old problem, there is never going to be a quick fix, especially in a world like Scottish football where the wheels of progress often turn frustratingly slowly.

Events of recent weeks appeared to have focused minds and kick-started a promising debate, however, and a faint light is appearing at the end of the tunnel.

If that process leads to VAR being introduced in our game then a small step could become a giant leap forward for those that play and officiate in the Premiership.

In the aftermath of Daniel Candeias’ red card against St Mirren last month, this column put forward the case for full-time referees and the implementation of the VAR system that is becoming increasingly prevalent in the game.

Now there is momentum gathering as the likes of Brendan Rodgers and Craig Levein have called for technology to be used to aid officials and ensure we eradicate some of the howlers that have been seen up and down the country of late.

Issues surrounding refereeing will be discussed at a Scottish FA board meeting next month but supporters shouldn’t expect to see television screens at the side of the park any time soon.

In the end, it will come down to cost. If clubs are so keen for the standard of refereeing to improve, if managers are so concerned about helping the officials, then they will pay for it out of their budgets.

When push comes to shove, how many will sacrifice having the wages set aside for a striker to have a monitor beside them in the dugout that could see a penalty awarded in their favour or their man sent off?

We will soon see just how serious clubs are here, or whether the soundbites that have swept the country have been nothing more than an attempt to play to the gallery when decisions have gone against them.

While the SFA are at it next month, they should discuss the proposal from Rangers that would allow second yellow cards to be appealed in the same way that straight reds are.

If that piece of legislation, if that bit of common sense, had been in place already, the situation over Candeias’ red card wouldn’t have blown up in the manner that it did.

That would be a welcome change to the rulebook and would mean that something positive can come out of the shambles surrounding that now infamous sending off in Paisley.

The Light Blues will vigorously defend the five charges that the Compliance Officer, Clare Whyte, hit them with at a Hampden hearing next week.

Rangers stand accused of criticising a match official in such a way as to indicate bias or incompetence; bringing the game into disrepute and not acting in the best interests of football. Two further charges relate to sportsmanship and acting towards the SFA with good faith.

It was no surprise that the Gers came into Whyte’s crosshairs over their strongly worded statement last month but there is bemusement at Ibrox over why comments from others haven’t been picked up.

Neil Lennon claimed Don Robertson was ‘abysmal’ and that Hibernian were ‘were playing against 12 men’ as they lost to Celtic at Parkhead earlier in the season.

And, as it stands, Levein, who referenced those comments from his Easter Road counterpart after losing to Rangers, has yet to be cited for his stinging criticism of Bobby Madden.

Just like when it comes to refereeing decisions week to week, it is the inconsistency that angers and frustrates.

While there are lines that cannot be crossed, managers, players and clubs should be able to express certain opinions without the fear of punishment.

Referees are often the easy target but that doesn’t mean they should be exempt from criticism. But key figures shouldn’t be in a disciplinary lottery when they do speak out.

Ideas like introducing VAR and changing the yellow card rules can only improve Scottish football and the Hampden summit next month could be the catalyst for change.

What is certain is that the status quo can’t remain, for the good of the game and those that participate in it and watch it.