FEVER PITCH Sweat is on to get surfaces relaid for new campaign

St Mirren are sinking a sixfigure sum into brand-new pitches for the SMiSA Stadium and the club’s training ground.

Boss Stephen Robinson confirmed the current weather-beaten surfaces will be ripped up and replaced in time for next season.

Work on the grass pitch at Ralston began on Monday with the turf at the SMiSA being dug up after the final home game of the campaign against Hearts on Wednesday, May 15.

And Robbo, pictured, believes better pitches means better football and more quality players in Paisley.

“We have to be getting into the top six more regularly than we have and to do that you need infrastructure,” the Buddies boss said.

“The board have supported us in that by putting money into the training ground so that players can play the good style of football we have evolved to this year. We want people to enjoy coming to training.

“It’s a good facility and now we are getting that investment into the training pitches and the stadium pitch.

“Both groundsmen will be delighted because they work ever so hard and they need that little bit of investment to help them at their work.

“We will train at the stadium for the last six or seven sessions or whatever it is. That puts more pressure on Tommy the groundsman because we have a double header – but he has been fantastic and him and Alan will accommodate us. That’s what has to be done because we want to come back next season and hit the ground running with new pitches.

“It attracts better players, it attracts more players and it raises the standard and entertainment value of Scottish football.”

Pitch problems have been an issue in this season’s Premiership with the state of Dundee’s Dens Park earning the Dark Blues a fine of £186,000 – with £120,000 of that total suspended until next season.

“I can’t comment on anybody else’s pitch because I’m not well versed on why they’re in good nick or bad nick,” Robbo said.

“But the entertainment value comes from a better pitch. All the managers have alluded to that and they’re 100 per cent right.

“It’s easier to entertain spectators on a good surface.

“So, I agree 100 per cent that investment has to be made in the infrastructure of Scottish football.

“It can’t just be poured into squads because that’s not sustainable.

“We need to build for the future and we want the product to get better.

“There have been occasions where even we ourselves this season haven’t been proud of our pitch.

“The weather has played a huge part in that but we are changing that.”

He added: “We put in what’s sustainable and chip away trying to improve and improve. We want to become a top-six club with a top-six infrastructure.”