CELTIC criticised the condition of Ross County's pitch after their sixth consecutive away game without a league win yesterday.
The champions are 13 points clear at the top of the table but they could only draw 1-1 in a low key game at the Global Energy Stadium in Dingwall yesterday. Anthony Stokes and Iain Vigurs scored but the pitch, with large grassless patches, was criticised by Celtic assistant manager Johan Mjallby and defender Mikael Lustig.
"It is not easy to play football here because of the pitch, which is dry and bouncy, and the wind," said Lustig. "In the second half we had a really hard time and while you shouldn't make excuses, the pitch was s***. It is May and you would hope a team would have a better pitch."
That was echoed by his fellow Swede, Mjallby. "It is hard to play football on that pitch. It was dreadful. The pitch is equal for both teams but the way we play football it doesn't suit us. It is not acceptable to have a pitch like this and it shouldn't be this way, although I am not a groundsman. It is hard for me to put the blame on anyone but it is not good for the 22 players out there."
County are unbeaten in three home games against Celtic this season although taking only one point damaged their attempt to finish above Inverness Caledonian Thistle and St Johnstone to claim a Europa League place.
"I said to the players that they have to take a reality check: they are disappointed at not beating the champions," said Derek Adams, the County manager. "I think the results against Celtic here show the quality of the side we have. We have come up from the first division with technically good players. They are mentally strong and have shown the qualities you need in the SPL over a full season."
Adams, meanwhile, was irritated about not receiving an invitation to last night's PFA Scotland awards dinner in Glasgow, especially as he was last year's manager of the year.
"I do think I maybe should have had an invite to go this year as I won it last year, but that didn't come. I've not had any explanation from PFA Scotland," he said.
"After winning it last year, it's only right that you are able to attend the next season. I think the manager who won it the season before should maybe present the award to the new winner. Maybe they have a different idea but I'm not worried about it. It saved me a three-hour journey down the road."
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