Brendan wants to rip it up and start again

BRENDAN RODGERS last night revealed he has called upon Celtic to rip up their home pitch and replace it at a cost of some £2 million.

While the Hoops haven’t conceded a goal in their last seven matches at Celtic Park, their manager is far from happy at the quality of the playing surface.

Rodgers said: “It is an old pitch here, so we need to modernise the field. We need a Desso,” a reference to the type of hybrid pitch used by Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal – and Rangers.

The Desso surface is 3% synthetic.

“We actually go away to some grounds and play better because the pitch is better. This one here slows us down.

“I have asked the board for it already because the current level is poor.”

Meanwhile, Rodgers has outlined the qualities he wants in Celtic’s new super scout.

The Parkhead club are working hard to recruit a successor to talent spotter John Park, who left the club after 10 years last October.

Rodgers is clear he doesn’t want someone who relies purely on statistics to identify potential signings.

He said: “It can be very complicated in modern football. But for me it’s simple – they must have an eye for a player.

“You get a lot of ‘new school’ around now with computers, statistics and analysis. But you still need guys who know a player.

“You get a bit of old school and a bit of new school. That fusion will hopefully allow you to get the players that you want.

“The main responsibility of the role will be 75% based on delivering and managing the recruitment team to the profiles I want.

“They will also be assisting and working with me and Peter Lawwell in terms of managing a stock of players, from kids right the way through.

“So it’s very clear what the job is and it’s just making sure we get the right person for it. We’ll probably have something organised by the summer.”

Rodgers will not tolerate any slacking, even if his men clinch the title next month.

He said: “We have to push to the maximum. We have an obligation to do that. We can’t go soft.

“We are here to win, and to win in the best possible way, but that’s about picking the best team and I think I’ve done that throughout the season.

“There were players who were deemed not to be starters and have done really well.

“I’ve tried to maximise my squad and keep them fit, motivated and in pursuit of our objectives.

“They have all been brilliant in their professionalism.

“So, even if I did give one or two a rest, I feel confident about any players coming in.

“It certainly won’t take the edge off us because we are preparing, not just for this final part of the season, but to keep the momentum going into next season.”