BRENDAN Rodgers accused Hearts of embarrassing both sets of players during yesterday’s Premiership meeting against Celtic by asking them to play on a Tynecastle surface where the grass had deliberately been allowed to grow long.

The Parkhead manager, whose side enjoyed a 3-1 win at a venue where they had been routed 4-0 back in December, said his opposite number Craig Levein had been guilty of gamesmanship and had created a match “that wasn’t football”.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, his claims drew short shrift from Levein, who pointed out that there had been a variation on the same theme from Rodgers back in December after a match where the pitch was bare.

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“I thought the win was outstanding but I’m a little bit embarrassed because of the pitch,” said Rodgers. “You talk about standards and this is a great club, Hearts, a really passionate club. But I felt for both sets of players. You saw it early on when the ball got thrown out [by goalkeeper Scott Bain] and it actually sticks on the grass it was that long.

“There’s a standard,” he added. “They can probably have the pipes fixed for next time too so the grass can be watered. I heard the pipes were broken when we asked for water.

“This is about the product of Scottish football – not just about Celtic. I’m talking about youngsters and gifted players in their team who can’t dribble or pass it because of the grass. If that’s what you want to do then fine but – it’s not football. Of course it’s gamesmanship but that’s 30 years ago, Christ. You haven’t qualified for 20 odd years and we’re trying to develop players and a product here to move the game on.”

“There wasn’t ENOUGH grass the last time,” said Levein. “If they tell me exactly how much they want, we’ll try to get it right next time.”

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If Levein was far from happy afterwards his main complaint was with the performance of referee Bobby Madden. The Hearts manager took particular umbrage at the official’s decision to chalk off an early ‘goal’ by John Souttar, apparently on the grounds that Ross Callachan had impeded Parkhead goalkeeper Bain from Don Cowie’s corner. Coupled with Kyle Lafferty’s 17th-minute opener, had it been allowed to stand, Hearts might have had a two-goal lead to defend.

“Have you seen it?” said Levein, who also felt his players had been treated more harshly by Madden than Celtic captain Scott Brown. “It’s ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous. I have no idea. I can’t even see why he would even penalise anyone. To beat Celtic, that’s what we have to do. We have to press, we have to steal the ball as high up the field as we can. And most importantly, we have to take every opportunity that comes our way. We did that. And yet, for some reason, the referee decided he wasn’t going to give it. We also had three players booked for their first tackle. I don’t know how many Scott had today.”

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A fine victory for Celtic wasn’t without cost. Rodgers was awaiting confirmation last night that the hamstring injury sustained by in-form loan striker Odsonne Edouard would keep the young Frenchman from playing any part in the William Hill Scottish Cup final against Motherwell.

“It looked like a hamstring so we’ll need to assess it,” said the Celtic manager, who also confirmed that Charly Musonda had returned to Chelsea early, in the first instance to receive treatment for a shoulder problem. “It would be a real shame if he was ruled out. He’s been brilliant for us as he’s developed and improved. If it’s a hamstring it would end his season. Odsonne’s injury meant we had to take Moussa off as a precaution. Once you get past that 65 minute mark it runs a higher risk, especially with him just coming back and prone to the odd hamstring as well.”