Brendan Rodgers confirms dodgy Livingston pitch has influenced Sunday Celtic squad call

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The days of plastic pitches in Scotland could soon be numbered but Celtic still have to deal with them in the here and now.

The Bhoys travel to Livingston on Sunday to play on the artificial pitch at Almondvale, one of only two plastic surfaces currently in the Scottish Premiership alongside Kilmarnock’s Rugby Park.

The SPFL are moving to ban them from the top flight in Scotland with a club vote on that matter set to take place next month.

Even if that passes, there will likely be a grace period for impacted clubs to get a functional grass pitch in place. It could take quite a while, knowing how Scottish football operates. For now then, Celtic will come up against them from time to time.

Brendan Rodgers is notably not a fan and spoke out against the dodgy surfaces in his first spell as Bhoys boss, as well as earlier in the season.

Callum McGregor ruled out of Celtic vs Livingston

Ahead of this weekend’s trip to Livingston, he has now stated their pitch is a factor in not selecting club captain Callum McGregor.

The midfielder has been out with a calf and Achilles complaint. He will not be risked ahead of next week’s derby against Rangers.

Rodgers said in a media conference on Friday [Celtic FC YouTube]: “You certainly have to consider it. For example, with Callum McGregor we have to think along that route. There’s no doubt it comes into your thinking, especially on the back of an international break where players have been travelling.

“We’re all hopeful in the future that we’ll have quality grass pitches here. Supporters will see the best possible game that they can.

“But at this moment in time, we play on the plastic pitch, and so we have to deal with that. And of course that means we have to think about team selection and the welfare of the player. From Callum’s perspective, it’s probably too much of a risk for us.”

Rodgers also appears to be referencing Hyunjun Yang in his comments – a player who represented South Korea during the international window but is said to be feeling some ‘tightness’ ahead of this one.

It’s frustrating that another team’s facilities would prevent the manager from fielding his strongest possible team but the good news is that McGregor is back imminently.

He’s been a miss in that midfield area and his leadership will be key during the upcoming title run-in. For now, he’s on the sidelines and it’s better to not take the risk on his fitness.