Work will begin today to relay the Hampden Park pitch for the fifth time in seven years and should be completed in time for the first Scottish Cup semi-final between Hibs and Dundee United on Saturday.
Both managers were critical of the playing surface after Rangers’ Petrofac Cup win against Peterhead on Sunday with Peterhead manager JimMcInally describing it as it “dangerous” after four of his players were left with injuries.
The surface was actually relaid a few weeks ago in time for the Scottish League Cup Final between Hibs and Ross County.
Peter Dallas, managing director of Hampden Park Ltd (HPL), said: “This latest action is deemed necessary after discussions with our pitch supply chain and representatives from the independent Sports Turf Research Institute [STRI] following the installation of a new surface only five weeks ago.
“While the pitch is in an adequate playing condition, and has been professionally managed with an extensive maintenance and nutrition programme, regrettably it became evident that the rye grass in certain strips had not grown as expected.
“Given the recent six-figure investment, we expressed our concerns through the established supply chain and reached agreement that a new surface would be re-laid at no cost to HPL.
“We are confident that this action will provide the best possible playing surface for the William Hill Scottish Cup semi-finals and, indeed, the climax to the Scottish football season.”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
