PFA Scotland chief warns clubs need listen to players who 'hate' plastic pitches
Hamilton and Kilmarnock's astroturf surfaces have been branded two of the three worst pitches in Scotland following a survey of the nation's professionals.
Last updated 4th Jun 2018
PFA Scotland chief Fraser Wishart says it is time clubs started listening to top-flight players when they say they hate playing on plastic pitches.
Hamilton and Kilmarnock's astroturf surfaces have been branded two of the three worst pitches in Scotland following a survey of the nation's professionals.
Players from the 42 SPFL clubs were asked to rate the pitches at away grounds as part of a study organised jointly by PFA Scotland, Sports Labs and the SFA.
The pitch at Hamilton was rated the worst in the country by players who rated it on average just 1.18 out of 5. Kilmarnock came third last with a score of just 1.70.
The PFA Scotland chief said: "We want to have a proper debate about the level that artificial surfaces should be used.
"The results of this survey say the players in the Premiership don't want to play on it
"They have voted in numbers to say they don't like artificial surfaces and that is something that should be looked at.''
With newly-promoted Livingston set to install an artificial surface for the start of the new season it means a quarter of Scottish Premiership games will be played on plastic.
The pitch that was voted best in the country was Stirling Albion's and the club's Graeme Glen was name Groundsman of the Year as the Forthbank surface received a score of 4.43.