Willie Collum on how major rule change will impact on games
On the worldwide rule change, Scottish Football Association head of referees Collum said: 'We think it will make the game much quicker because the goalkeepers now are under pressure to release a ball.
'We'll have prepared our referees tactically for that as well, forgetting just about the decision-making, the eight seconds and punishing it. We also know there will be a lot of shorter balls at times in and around the penalty area. We need our referees to be well prepared for that.
'But, it's like any rule change, the clubs are aware of it. We've spoken to a lot of goalkeeper coaches who are saying they've already been coaching it, working at it. So, we don't think we'll see a great amount of issues with that.'
Read more: Stephen McGowan: Europe nice but only one thing will keep Russell Martin at Rangers
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Referees will start the count when the goalkeeper is in full control of the ball and is unobstructed by opponents, and will visibly count the last five seconds. If any opposition player pressures or obstructs the goalkeeper, an indirect free-kick will be awarded.
Collum added: 'We know that in the League Cup so far, we've not encountered any issues with it at all. It's not been punished once. So we'd hope that would continue throughout the season. We'll be proactive as well in working with the goalkeepers with that.'
Other changes will see an accidental double-touch penalty being retaken if the player scores. A free-kick will only be awarded to the defending team if the penalty is missed or saved.
And, if referees touch the ball, they will hand a drop ball to the team who would have received it, rather than only resuming the game with possession to the last team that played the ball.
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