Brendan is happy with pitch after groundsmen talk-in

BRENDAN RODGERS has revealed he satisfied himself over the height of the grass for today’s semi-final with Hearts after going to see the Murrayfield groundsmen earlier this week.

Rodgers and opposite number Craig Levein became involved in a spat over the lush nature of the turf at Tynecastle at the end of last season, with the Parkhead boss insisting it was an ‘embarrassment’, following his side’s 3-1 league win.

The Northern Irishman had his players training at the home of Scottish rugby on Tuesday and admits he made a point of talking to head groundsman Jim Dawson and a colleague over plans to have the dimensions and cut of the pitch exactly the same as Hampden.

In what may be another spot of gamesmanship, Rodgers claims he expects the hybrid surface to be 24mm long, the same as Celtic Park, rather than the 26mm reported in some quarters earlier this week.

Quizzed on whether talking to groundsmen before a match is common practice for him, Rodgers replied: ‘What are you trying to say? I was out on the pitch and they were working on it. That’s their job. It would be ignorant not to talk to them, right?

‘I just wondered exactly what size the pitch would be — and how long the grass would be. It will be down to 24mm, which is UEFA guidelines size, and that just happens to be the exact same size as Celtic Park.

‘They have top ground staff, the pitch is superb and they want a showcase game, too. They have obviously got standards.

‘One was from Falkirk and the other was a Raith Rovers supporter. I had a good chat with both of them. They are neutrals and they want the best pitch.

‘The pitch will be 105m long and 68 wide — the same size as Hampden.’