Celtic manager ANGE POSTECOGLOU seems satisfied with the improvements made to the Hampden pitch since the semi-final against Kilmarnock in January.
The turf was in a sorry state for both semi-final ties, and it really made it difficult for the bhoys to play their free-flowing attacking football. Comments were made at the time and the SFA promised to get the surface into better shape for the showpiece final. They released a statement earlier this year saying they had ‘challenging’ issues when it came to maintaining the pitch to an acceptable level. [Scotsman]
We’re days out from Celtic talking to the Hampden turf, and Ange was at the national stadium on Tuesday for media duties. The Celtic manager was pitch side and was able to get a close look at how things have progressed.
As cited by Celtic Youtube, Ange said: “It’s improved, definitely, it had to. It’s in better condition, so hopefully it’s a chance for both teams to play at a good level.
“It’s not just that it stops us playing our football, it’s part of the event, it’s about promoting Scottish football and we want it to be perceived as good as possible. The pitch is going to be a central actor in the event and hopefully it will be a good one.”
Celtic will be hoping they can get their game plan up and running at Hampden come Sunday. There are other things working against the bhoys, the Hampden track being so wide doesn’t lend itself to getting the ball back into play as quickly as possible.
At Celtic Park, the ball boys are regimented and have a new ball on the pitch just as the match ball trickles over the white line.
This does slow down the play a little and stops the Hoops from being as relentless as they’d like. They will be used to that away from Celtic Park in general. Not many opposition ball boys are in a hurry to throw the ball our way.
Excitement is building ahead of this one and we just can’t wait for Sunday!
