Warburton: Deila is being disrespectiful

Rangers boss Mark Warburton claims Old Firm counterpart Ronny Deila is being "disrespectful'' if he did say that it is "old-fashioned'' to believe senior players should only play on grass.

The Gers manager recently reignited the debate about the use of artificial surfaces in Scottish football when he called for them to be banned in the top flight following a knee injury to Martyn Waghorn at Rugby Park, which could keep the striker out for the rest of the season.

The Celtic boss, asked his thoughts on the subject ahead of the Premiership clash with Hamilton on the artificial surface at New Douglas Park on Friday night, was quoted in several newspapers as saying that it was "very old-fashioned'' to say professional players should only play on grass and added:

"My view is that a very good grass pitch is number one and then a very good artificial pitch is number two.''

Warburton, ahead of the Championship encounter with St Mirren at Ibrox on Saturday, was asked about Deila's "old-fashioned'' comment and said: "If Ronny did say that - if he did say that - I think that is disrespectful because you are entitled to your opinion.

"The one line from that interview that jumps out for me was 'number one is a good grass pitch, number two is a good artificial pitch'.

"If you are happy to accept second best, then go for the artificial pitch.

"If you want to set the highest standards then you go for the best quality grass pitch.

"That for me was the one sentence that summed it up.''