MacDermid was the referee in charge when Partick Thistle beat Ayr United 1-0 on a Friday night, awarding the visitors the decisive penalty after Seb Drozd went down in the box with Liam Dick nearby.

Oisin Smyth converted the spot-kick, but the decision attracted heavy criticism. MacDermid then took up his VAR role for Rangers’ 2-2 draw with Dundee at Dens Park the following evening.

Former Hearts player Ryan Stevenson had even called for MacDermid to be removed from his Rangers assignment following the controversial call.

Madden, however, believes the bigger question should be directed towards those responsible for referee appointments.

MacDermid’s hectic schedule had actually started two days before the Ayr game when he travelled to the Faroe Islands to referee a UEFA Youth League fixture between HB Torshavn Under-19s and Flora Tallinn Under-19s.

Madden said on the So Near, Yet So VAR podcast: "The decision has 330,000 views on Instagram. That tells you everything you need to know. You're talking about Ayr, Partick Thistle, the only goal of the game. It's crucial.

"This decision – the referee is well placed, a delayed reaction by the attacker, he has a smirk when he goes down.

"It just looks terrible."

He continued: "You mentioned the referee – I think we need to consider referee appointments. Matthew has a game in Europe during the week, travels back the day before this match, he does this match, and then he’s VAR.

"It can't be that small [a pool]. This comes down to referee appointments.

"Why, when a referee maybe isn’t in the best of form, put him on the live TV game?"