Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Murray: We are happy with our pitch
Airdrie boss Ian Murray defended the Penny Cars Stadium surface after Jim McInally called the Diamonds artificial pitch one of the worst he has ever seen.
Following the defeat at New Broomfield the Balmoor gaffer was quick to point the finger at the Penny Cars Stadium’s plastic pitch claiming it gives the League One title challengers a huge advantage.
With the debate over astroturf parks raging in Scottish football, McInally didn’t want to blame the heavy rain and sleet in Lanarkshire instead dubbing the pitch too old.
He said:“Airdrie are really effective at what they do here with the long throws and set-pieces.
“It’s twice this season that we’ve been given penalties against us for situations that happen at every set-piece. Hands are always all around the place. The referee gave the decision and I think it was poor considering it happens pretty regularly.
“In the first half they we were the better team but they were the more effective team.
“At half-time I said to the players I think Airdrie have cracked it here. They know how to play the pitch.
“The pitch is that bad that Ian [Murray] has sussed that out now with how to play it and get it forward quicker.
“It really is one of the poorest surfaces I’ve seen. I don’t think it’s the weather, I think it’s just an old pitch.
“Airdrie play it well and we huffed and puffed in the second half but there wasn’t much in the game.”
However, Diamonds boss Ian Murray stood up for the surface – adding it’s not their problem if McInally’s men don’t like it.
He responded after the clash:“Jim is entitled to his opinion but it’s not like it was laid yesterday.
“This pitch has been down for five or six years now so they knew what they were playing on.
“Of course we would love a lovely surface every week but we don’t get that. We just have to adapt our game.
“It’s just like when we go somewhere else we have to adapt our game
“That’s for Jim to sort out. We’re happy with the pitch and that’s the main thing.”