Saturday 18 February 2017 19:00, UK
Brendan Rodgers has told the Celtic board that he is looking for a new pitch to be put down at Parkhead in the summer.
The Hoops boss complained about the surface following the comfortable 2-0 home win over Motherwell in the Ladbrokes PremiershIp.
A Moussa Dembele penalty and a James Forrest drive extended the home side's unbeaten domestic run since the start of the season to 31 games and returned them 27 points clear of second-placed Aberdeen.
Afterwards Rodgers revealed his concerns about the pitch and the way it affects his side's style of play.
"I think it is an old pitch here, so we need to modernise the field," the former Swansea and Liverpool boss said.
"It is a concern for me when you are trying to entertain supporters and play a level of game, the pitch is vital.
"Our players have to deal with a real difficult pitch.
"Technically they are having to make sure of their touch at times before they get it under control. They can't play first time, it is difficult.
"So I think how they deal with the game and how creative they are is a huge testament to them. Some of our football was very good in what was a very difficult pitch even though it might not look it.
"You are looking for fast football and speed in your game, the level we are looking to play.
"We actually go away to some grounds and play better because the opposition pitch is better and this here slows us down."
Motherwell boss Mark McGhee revealed that former coach Stephen Robinson, who quit Fir Park last July to become Oldham boss, will return to the club at least until the end of the season.
The former Celtic striker, who was sent to the stand in the 7-2 defeat by Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Wednesday night, said: "Stephen will come back until the end of the season initially.
"We've been talking about it for a while and we feel the time is right as I might have a suspension coming up.
"Everyone knows him and likes him. We know he's a good coach. We were sorry he left and we're certainly glad he's coming back."
McGhee had to change his plans before the game when left-back Steven Hammell pulled up in the warm-up, replaced from the bench by former Celtic defender Joe Chalmers.
Veteran defender Stephen McManus - another former Hoop - then pulled up in the second minute after playing a pass and had to be replaced by 20-year-old Zak Jules two minutes later.
McGhee said: "Losing the two players was disappointing but we feel we have a strong squad here now so we had people on the bench to come in.
"In that regard we're in a better position now than we were in the first part of the season. Joe struggled with Forrest at the goal but no full-back in Scotland would have lived with James in that moment.
"With his pace, energy and directness, we have to forgive Joe. Zak gave away the penalty but we forgive him because he's a 20-year-old boy on loan from Reading reserves.
"He hasn't played a lot of first-team football and certainly nowhere like here before."
