Martindale bites back in row over Livi’s pitch
Manager doesn’t care if they try to vote plastic out of order
David Martindale has mounted a stout defence of Livingston’s plastic pitch ahead of today’s visit from Celtic.
The playing surface at the West Lothian stadium has received a barrage of criticism in recent years.
But the Lions manager makes no apologies, and insists the fact it’s now the only artificial facility in the Premiership has made it an even bigger target.
There have been calls for topflight games to only be played on grass, but Martindale said: “I don’t know if a vote will happen – and I don’t care.
“It would change the dynamics of Scottish football. It would be elitism. Football would not be for all. Then where would the sporting integrity be?”
David Martindale insists any move to force Livingston to tear up their plastic pitch would be against the spirit of the game.
With Hamilton Accies and Kilmarnock relegated last season, the West Lothian club are currently the only member of the top flight who have an artificial surface.
The lack of grass at some grounds around Scotland has been heavily criticised over the years.
And the Livi manager is under no illusions there are plenty who would love to make the Premiership an all-grass league, given the opportunity.
Ahead of today’s visit from Celtic, Martindale said: “I don’t know if a vote will happen – and I don’t care.
“What I will say is it would change the dynamics of Scottish football.
“It would be elitism. Then football would not be for all.
“Where would the sporting integrity be? Where would I train if I couldn’t train my players on our pitch?
“Listen, I would love a hybrid park, absolutely love it. But I can’t get it.
“We have not got a £500,000 or a £1-million to go and find training facilities.
“But I’ve never had one player that’s signed for this club saying they don’t like training on or playing on it. Not one person.
“However, when you beat someone at our place, suddenly the park is terrible. It is a leveller.
“Aesthetically, because of the black pellets, our pitch probably looks a bit community-based.
“Hamilton’s pitch is the exact same park. But they have green pellets, so you don’t see the splash of pellets in the background.
“But the surface is generally decent, and I think a lot of modernday footballers – in Scotland especially – are coming through playing on plastic surfaces.
“I don’t think that’s going to change at community or youth level.
“All the Celtic youth academy play on plastic. But suddenly they get to the first-team, and they don’t like playing on plastic.”
Martindale is unapologetic about not providing Ange Postecoglou’s side with the surface, or style of game, they would choose for themselves.
“Celtic spent absolute fortunes in the summer, and they have a wage bill of £55m, so you have to try to make it uncomfortable for them,” he said.
“They are in maybe a bit of a transitional phase. They have brought in 12 players, but the 12 are all high-calibre players, who have played at a top level wherever they have been.
“We have brought in 15, but it is a different calibre of footballer, with ours requiring some hours of coaching.
“I think Ange has them playing some very, very good football. I read a wee article that said they are one of the top-four passing teams in Europe.
“So clearly their ball retention is fantastic – but will they relish coming to a plastic surface?
“Will Liel Abada and Jota, to name a couple, look forward to coming here, and playing on a plastic park which is absolutely horrific?
“Probably not.
“And they come to us after an away game in Europe, so there will possibly be more vulnerability there.
“I think the Old Firm do fine when playing after home ties as they are used to the intensity.
“However, when you add in the travelling, the temperature, the hydration and the change in sleeping patterns with an away game, I think there is a benefit for the team catching them afterwards.
“I hope so, anyway!”
Celtic’s ball retention is fantastic