Every Rangers player has signed a petition demanding plastic pitches are outlawed in the Scottish Premiership. And the Light Blues’ players are also not the only ones.
Almost all of Scotland’s top-flight footballers have signed the PFA Scotland petition.
Livingston, Kilmarnock and also Hamilton currently use plastic pitches so their players were not asked to partake in the survey. Incredibly, every player at the other nine clubs signed the document.
The PFA have also called for improvements in pitches across the league and want more research done into the impact the pitches have on injuries. It’s unsurprising.
St Johnstone’s Liam Craig, chairman of PFA Scotland, as quoted by STV, said: “Players believe that removing artificial surfaces from the top league and improving them throughout the SPFL Championship, League One and League Two will have a positive impact on our game in Scotland.
“The inconsistency of artificial surfaces at the top level of Scottish football is a major factor on how the game is played by players.”
Rangers know fine well about the danger of plastic pitches
Rangers players know first hand the negative impact artificial pitches can have. One in particular who knows full well is Jamie Murphy. The wideman was ruled out for the entire campaign after a misstep on Kilmarnock’s artificial pitch back in August.
That lead Steven Gerrard to say he feels the pitches have “no place in elite football” and also condemn their use in the league.
Clubs with artificial pitches argue they are a cost-effective way of managing groundskeeping and are vital to ensure their future. But this latest research suggests everyone in Scottish football is looking for a solution which suits all parties.
