Pitch battle
SPFL boot out bid to regulate length of grass at stadiums
LAST season’s turf war between Brendan Rodgers and Craig Levein took a fresh twist yesterday when the SPFL booted out a bid to regulate the length of grass on all top-flight pitches.
Record Sport understands a rule that would have forced groundsmen to keep playing surfaces cropped to no longer than three centimetres lost a vote at the league’s AGM.
The move comes following a bad-tempered row between Celtic boss Rodgers and Hearts gaffer Levein in May after the champions’ 3-1 win at Tynecastle.
Rodgers slammed the state of the pitch and claimed the grass was so overgrown he was forced to ditch his usual tactical approach and adopt a long-ball strategy instead – which provoked a stinging
retaliation from Levein. But the league’s plan to make sure this spat will not spill over into the new campaign was kicked out after it received the backing of only seven top-flight clubs, one short of eight required.
It came after the clubs rubber-stamped plans for a new reserve league to be introduced in time for the new season.
One source told Record Sport: “There was a feeling among some in the room that this whole issue is really a matter of bad blood after what happened between Hearts and Celtic last season.
“There are issues about the standard of the pitches across Scotland which need to be addressed but the length of the grass is a specific argument involving two clubs and two managers.”
After that defeat Rogers said: “I sit a little embarrassed because of the pitch. I’m talking about for the spectators and the young, gifted players in their team who can’t dribble or pass the ball properly because of the grass.”
Levein responded by sarcastically saying: “If they tell me how much they want, we will try and get it right next time!”
While Levein will have savoured the outcome, Hearts owner Ann Budge lost her seat on the SPFL board.
Rangers managing director Stewart Roberston was also replaced but it’s understood he did not wish to be considered following the club’s stance against chairman Murdoch MacLennan.
It’s anticipated that Robertson will now be elected to serve on the SFA’s Professional Gaming Board instead.
Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell, Dundee’s John Nelms and Alan Burrows of Motherwell were all voted onto the SPFL board, replacing Budge, Les Gray of Hamilton and Robertson.
But there was broad consensus on the return of the reserve league, with an 18-strong set-up that sees teams play each other just once.
There’s also a Reserve League Cup, which Gers opted out of, a nineteam second tier and a Reserve Challenge Cup.
Aberdeen, Celts, Hibs, Hearts, Dundee, Dundee United, Dunfermline, Well, Falkirk, Accies, Morton, Kilmarnock, Partick Thistle, Queen of the South, Ross County, St Johnstone, Rangers and St Mirren will be in the top division.
Airdrie, Albion Rovers, Berwick, East Kilbride, Livi, Queen’s Park, Ayr, Raith Rovers and Stirling Albion are in the lower tier.