Ange Postecoglou has insisted that his complaints about the Hampden pitch are an attempt at looking at the bigger picture for Celtic and Scottish Football.
The 57-year-old was left unimpressed by the Hampden Park surface during his side’s 2-0 cup semi-final victory over Kilmarnock last weekend.
In his post-match press duties, the Celtic manager made that point clear, insisting that he was ‘disappointed’ to be playing on a difficult pitch in a showpiece fixture for Scottish Football.
Several of his players were also asked about the difficulties faced by the conditions of the surface, with the likes of Callum McGregor and Joe Hart responding in a similar fashion.
Of course, the Bhoys couldn’t afford to make that an excuse, though, and were able to get the job done last Saturday evening.
Since facing criticism for the two semi-finals, the SFA and SPFL have released a statement promising an investigation as they aim to keep the pitch in good condition for the rest of the campaign.
Speaking three days on from the Hoops Hampden victory, Ange Postecoglou insisted his complaints regarding the playing surface are simply looking out for the bigger picture for Celtic and Scottish Football.
The former Socceroos boss jokingly stated that he has seen plenty of poor pitches in his time as a player and manager back home in Australia.
However, he is keen to see Scotland set a high standard as we aim to continue building up the league’s reputation across the globe.
He said [The Scotsman]: “I don’t want to be seen as sort of picking on things that we can do better because we all have our own responsibilities, you know?
“I have a responsibility to this football club to make it the best it can possibly be and to be a good manager. But I think that people understand that if we are going to improve as a league and improve in our status in world football – which moves forward pretty quickly – then these are the things we need to do.
“We have to invest in them because they are just as important as us trying to improve the playing standards. The infrastructure around it has to improve. I think you have seen that around the world; most countries now understand that it’s a really important part of the overall picture and how you sell your game.”
He continued: “Mate, in Australia, I was known for complaining about pitches. I would do it on a consistent basis because there we had to share pitches with different codes and stuff, and it used to do my head in because I thought it detracted from the growth of the game in Australia.
“It was a much bigger issue there than I think it is here. Most clubs, I think, are trying and are working hard on it.
“I’ve already said it, but credit to Motherwell when you see what they have done, they have invested in their pitch, and they will get the rewards from that in the way that the game is presented at their ground.
“So, certainly, for our showcase events, we want to try to put the best picture out there for people.”
Ange Posteocoglou simply looking out for the best interests of Scottish Football.
After coming away victorious from Hampden on Saturday, some opposition supporters may have simply scoffed at Ange Postecoglou’s post-match comments regarding the surface.
The Bhoys had already secured a place in the final of the Viaplay Cup, so what is there to complain about?
Well, you would be hoping that as we approach the first showpiece fixture of the season, we should expect to see an entertaining cup final on a slick Hampden Park surface.
However, after seeing the condition it was in at the weekend, following the poor January weather in Scotland, that seems a little optimistic at this point.
Of course, playing on a slick surface aids Ange Postecoglou’s squad, who are keen to play exciting, free-flowing attacking football.
But it also creates a better spectacle for football supporters watching around the globe, who will be tuning in for a Glasgow Derby cup final.
The Celtic manager is simply looking out for the best interests of not only his club but also Scottish Football as a whole, as we aim to continue building our reputation.
In other news, Celtic transfer contingency plans in place as Ange Postecoglou praises January transfer strategy.
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