‘Time Scottish government banished turf’

Drink company’s involvement in both rivals for knockout stage

CELTIC manager Brendan Rodgers last night called on the Scottish government to help the Ladbrokes Premiership get rid of artificial pitches.

The Scottish champions face a difficult league match against Livingston on the much-criticised synthetic surface at the Tony Macaroni Stadium tomorrow.

Rodgers, who believes artificial surfaces shouldn’t be allowed in the top flight in this country, admitted he will have to rest key players because of the venue.

The Northern Irishman stressed that he can understand the financial motives behind top-flight clubs Hamilton, Kilmarnock and Livingston installing 4G.

However, he has appealed to Holyrood to provide funding for them to maintain grass surfaces – and protect the image of the Scottish game around the world.

“For me, the Premiership is the flagship of Scottish football and there should not be Astroturf pitches in it,” said Rodgers. “Simple as that. If this is the flagship league, which we shouldn’t have it.

“The teams which do have them probably need some help as well. They obviously need to generate money, that’s why they do it. But let’s see if government, if councils, can help the teams that have them find an artificial pitch somewhere else close by and let the main stadiums be grass.

“We are trying to promote a level and a standard. Whether we like it or not, that [plastic pitches] doesn’t make your flagship league here in Scotland the best standard. I respect and understand all the other stuff that comes with the community clubs. That’s what I’m saying it’s not just their fault. They need help. So can we, in football and in government, help the teams?

“There are enough teams, Motherwell, Dundee, Partick Thistle, when they were there, St Johnstone, that have fantastic pitches.” it is,