'There is nothing that the ground staff could have done': Brendan Rodgers reveals new PS1.5m state-of-the-art pitch at Celtic Park has a DISEASE
Brendan Rodgers revealed that 'a slight disease' is rotting the new state-of-the-art £1.5million pitch at Celtic Park.
It was the former Liverpool boss who demanded the turf be ripped up and replaced by a new Desso hybrid surface in a bid to raise its standard to English Premier League levels.
But although the installation was only completed last summer, the grass showed signs of wear and tear during Saturday's 3-0 Scottish Cup fourth-round win over Airdrie - and Rodgers admitted there is an ongoing issue.
Brendan Rodgers revealed 'a slight disease' is rotting the new £1.5million pitch at Celtic Park
'It's a slight disease in the surface, which has just been unfortunate,' said the Celtic manager, whose team have won all nine of their Premiership home games this season, scoring 26 goals and conceding four.
'There is nothing that the ground staff could have done. We have a great team of ground staff and they work very hard.
'We obviously had a new pitch laid last year, which has helped our game but the guys are working very hard to make that right.
'Of course it is very difficult when you have a spell of games on it but I am sure it will get back to the level we would hope it would be at.'
Last summer Rodgers insisted the new pitch would be suitable for fast, attacking, entertaining football and would take Celtic's game to 'a different level'.
When asked at the time about the hybrid surface, which is a mix of natural grass and artifical fibres, he said: 'I've been crying about a pitch for a long time and you see the speed of it and it'll get slightly quicker as well.
The grass showed signs of wear and tear during Saturday's 3-0 Scottish Cup fourth-round win
'It was a big investment by the club, but they'll get their rewards, the players get their rewards and, most importantly, the spectators get their rewards.'
Meanwhile, Rodgers insists there is no cause for alarm despite red tape continuing to delay the arrival of £2million Ivory Coast striker Vakoun Issouf Bayo.
On January 9, the 21-year-old agreed a switch from Slovakian side Dunajska Streda to Celtic on a four-year deal, subject to a work permit and medical.
But almost two weeks on, the Scottish champions are still waiting for the paperwork to be completed.
'Has the red tape cleared up yet? Not that I am aware of, no,' said Rodgers.
'Is the problem with the international clearance? Yes. It is just waiting on that.
'Am I concerned? I am only guided by the club, really, and I haven't been (given cause for concern). Hopefully it will happen soon.'
It was the former Liverpool manager who demanded the turf be ripped up and replaced
Celtic have been linked with moves for Porto full back Fernando Fonseca, Wolves defender Dominic Iorfa and Wigan attacker Nick Powell during the January transfer window.
After sidestepping questions about them, however, Rodgers made it clear that he won't 'stockpile' players if he can't get in signings who will improve his team.
'They have to really be able to make a genuine difference,' said Rodgers.
'If you're not spending maybe a lot of money on that then you always have to be careful that you just don't stockpile players. I'm always conscious of that. You'll always wait for quality.
'We know we have areas that we want to improve on in the team but we can only do that with players that will actually make us better.'
Rodgers confirmed attacker Lewis Morgan could go out on loan this month but he will not be heading back to St Mirren, who visit Celtic Park tomorrow night.
Last summer Rodgers insisted the new pitch would be suitable for fast, attacking football
Celtic could be without right back Anthony Ralston against Saints after he injured his ankle against Airdrie.
French striker Odsonne Edouard is back in training but tomorrow's game will come too soon for him.
Midfielder Olivier Ntcham, who is out with a hamstring problem, should be back after Saturday's home match against Hamilton.
But Rodgers does not expect Kieran Tierney to return to training until early February as the Scotland international left back tries to manage an issue with his pubic bone.
Rodgers said: 'It's frustrating for Kieran because football is his life. But he's focused on getting back and into the best condition he can be. Hopefully that will be soon because he is a player we miss.'
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