Hibernian goalkeeper David Marshall has hit out at VAR in the aftermath of Saturday’s 1-0 Viaplay Cup semi-final defeat to Aberdeen. 

Nick Montgomery’s side looked well in control of the game, with Martin Boyle and Dylan Vente seeing a goal and penalty claim denied respectively, before Bojan Miovski grabbed a 78th-minute winner for the Dons. 

The match was delayed for several minutes as VAR reviewed Boyle’s run and finish, eventually concluding that the winger had strayed marginally offside. Marshall questioned the length of time taken to reach a decision and called for greater clarity in the process. 

He said: “I don't know how it looked [Boyle’s offside]. I saw one in the Celtic v Ross County game where the camera looked as if the line was diagonal. I just don't know why it took so long, but I'd like to know the ins and outs of it.” 
 

At 0-0, Vente appeared to be taken down by Dutch compatriot Kelle Roos as they both stretched for a loose ball in the box, but referee John Beaton waved away the striker’s claims, and VAR did not invite the on-pitch official to review the incident. 

Speaking shortly after the full-time whistle, Marshall added: “I've not seen it back but everyone I spoke to thought it was a pen. I'm not sure about the ruling, if it has to be clear and obvious.” 

Miovski’s goal came mere minutes after teammate Jack MacKenzie was shown a second yellow card for a shove on Lewis Miller. Following the Macedonian’s strike, Hibs were unable to break down their ten-man opposition, with the only real opportunity coming from a Christian Doidge header that whistled wide. 

Former Scotland goalkeeper Marshall reflected: “For the majority of the game, we played well. If we continued the way we were playing, it seemed a matter of time. There was the offside goal, potential penalty, Vents having one cleared off the line, (Jair) Tavares having one saved. 

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“We never handled the last 15 minutes well enough, though, when they were down to 10 men. Over the piece, we were the better team, but you need to take your chances.” 

Despite the defeat, Marshall remains optimistic about Hibs’ direction under Montgomery. 

“You can see it works,” he said. “We have good variety in our game, but we have had a lot of games like that where we should have won and dropped points. I'm sure it will turn. It's only nine or 10 games into the gaffer's tenure. It's just such a tough one to take because it's a semi-final. 

“Up until the goal, we were completely dominant in the second half then the offside took a long time. We dominated the majority of the game. A real sickener.”