New Hampden pitch before League Cup final

A new Hampden pitch will be laid before the Scottish League Cup final.

Concerns had been expressed over the state of the surface following an unusually wet winter.

And the company which runs the stadium has decided the pitch should be replaced in time for the final clash between Hibernian and Ross County on March 13.

Hampden Park managing director Peter Dallas said: "In light of recent speculation regarding the condition of the playing surface at Scotland's national stadium, Hampden Park Ltd can confirm that a new natural grass pitch will be laid ahead of the Scottish League Cup Final.

"Like many surfaces across Scotland, Hampden Park has suffered due to prolonged inclement weather and, in particular, heavy rainfall since the turn of the year.

"This has been exacerbated by the programme of fixtures for Queen's Park FC, who play their home matches at Hampden Park.

"While the best efforts of the ground staff have ensured Hampden's playability, nonetheless, with a series of showpiece matches due to take place this spring - the League Cup final and Scotland Vauxhall international challenge match against Denmark next month, the Petrofac Training Cup and the William Hill Scottish Cup semi-finals in April and the Scottish Cup final in May - the Board of HPL Ltd has taken the proactive decision to provide the best possible conditions for these matches.''

The work will start immediately after the League Two clash between Queen's Park and Berwick on March 5.