Mark Warburton unhappy with Hampden pitch plans

Rangers boss Mark Warburton has questioned Hampden chiefs' latest decision to relay their problematic pitch just a week before the William Hill Scottish Cup semi-finals.

The Ibrox manager saw his side clinch the Petrofac Training Cup with a 4-0 victory over Peterhead on the rutted National Stadium surface.

But both the Englishman and Blue Toon boss Jim McInally were unimpressed with the standard of the field, with the losing manager even dubbing it "dangerous'' after four of his men were left hobbling with injuries.

Hampden Park Ltd, who operate the venue, have confirmed they will put down new turf in time for Gers' clash with Old Firm rivals Celtic on Sunday and Saturday's last-four meeting between Dundee United and Hibernian.

It comes just five weeks after the pitch was last re-laid - and will be the fifth patch-up job in seven years - after Hampden's pitch suppliers admitted the grass had failed to bed in properly.

But Warburton is not convinced the plan will work and reckons Hampden bosses are paying the price for not following the likes of Murrayfield and their costly hybrid surface.

He said: "The pitch was difficult. It was hard to play on.

"I know a lot of work is going on but you've got to question how a new pitch can bed down in such a short time.

"My concern is if we have any adverse weather on the Thursday and Friday then have Hibs and Dundee United playing on it on Saturday before we play Celtic on Sunday. I'm not sure how you bed in a new pitch in three days' time.

"I understand there's problems and you have to find a solution as swiftly as possible. But it is surprising.

"How much does it cost to relay the pitch? With the amount of times it is being done, should you not go for the more expensive option in the beginning which proved to be the cheaper option in the long run?''

McInally said he was disappointed his team failed to ask more questions of Gers and gave an equally scathing assessment of the pitch.

"The ground is so hard, there is a skim on top of it,'' he explained.

"Three of our players picked up groin injuries. Ryan Strachan has not missed a game all season but had to come off with a calf strain.

"It's better for it to be relaid than to try and play on that if you are trying to play two semi-finals next week.

"It is in really, really poor condition. It is solid. If you soak it, then it becomes a bit dangerous. I don't think it could be any worse, no matter what they do to it, but I'm no grass expert.''

The pitch aside, Warburton was delighted to see the newly crowned Ladbrokes Championship winners finally land the lower league competition at the fourth time of asking.

Under his predecessor Ally McCoist, the Light Blues suffered a hat-trick of mortifying exists but this time they cruised to victory after crushing their League One opponents.

Ally Gilchrist's own goal 18 minutes in sent the Ibrox giants on their way to victory before James Tavernier lashed a spectacular volley past Graeme Smith just before the break.

Two late goals from Andy Halliday and Kenny Miller got the party started in front of 46,000 Gers fans.

Warburton - who confirmed both Harry Forrester and skipper Lee Wallace should be fit to face Celtic despite being forced off with leg and shoulder knocks - said: "I'm delighted for the fans. To have that level of support was just magnificent. Everyone to a man stayed to the end for the players' lap of honour so I'm delighted for them.

"They've had some tough times of late but they were able to enjoy the occasion and so did the players.

"We said right at the start this was a tournament we wanted to win and we have, so all credit to them.''