Adams critical of artificial pitches ahead of Kilmarnock clash
ROSS COUNTY
v KILMARNOCK
SPFL Premiership At Global Energy Stadium, today, 3pm Coverage on BBC Radio Scotland website
ROSS County manager Derek Adams has argued no club in the Scottish Premiership should be allowed to install artificial pitches as today’s opponents Kilmarnock have done.
Killie replaced their grass park during the summer while promoted Hamilton were allowed to retain their plastic pitch following a relaxation of top-flight rules.
Adams has been forced off grass in training for part of the week because of the wet weather but he would rather play on grass all day.
“We spent a wee bit of time indoors because of flooding but in the top division in Scotland it should be all grass,” Adams said.
“For part-time clubs I can see the sense in providing artificial turf because of the revenue but I don’t see the reason why we need it in the top division. But that’s the way it’s gone and we just have to get on with it.
“Kilmarnock will generate extra revenue and save money because they are training on the pitch, so from that point of view it’s great for a football club, but I just think for a top division it’s a wee bit strange the way we are going.”
County are looking for their first points of the season following a 2-1 home loss to St Johnstone and a 4-0 midweek defeat at Partick.
Adams said: “We lost scrappy goals and didn’t take chances when they came along. For large spells we were controlling it up until half-time, and doing relatively well. We just have to dust ourselves down and get going for Saturday.” Michael Ngoo signed a two-year contract with Kilmarnock and then set his sights on challenging champions Celtic for the Scottish Premiership title.
The 21-year-old striker, released at the end of last season by Liverpool after loan spells at Hearts, Yeovil and Walsall, was confirmed as a Kilmarnock player yesterday and goes straight into Allan Johnston’s squad for today’s match.
Kilmarnock battled against relegation last season, escaping the play-off with a last-day win at Hibernian, and they have taken one point from their first two league games.
However, Ngoo saw enough from the stand in the 2-0 home defeat by Aberdeen on Wednesday night to believe that his new team-mates can match his rather bold ambition.
“It is good to be back in Scottish football and I’m looking forward to the future,” the former England Under-20 player said.
“It is a new chapter for me. I am looking to bring goals and compete for the league. I don’t see any reason why this bunch of players, including myself, can’t compete for the league.
“If we beat every other team, then it’s down to Celtic, if that makes sense.
“I watched them (Kilmarnock) play against Aberdeen and there wasn’t much in the game so I believe that if everyone gets their head down and works hard, I don’t see any reason why we can’t.”