Kick poor pitches into the long grass, says Celtic defender Mikael Lustig

MIKAEL LUSTIG last night called on Scotland’s football authorities to get tough and legislate for level playing fields.

Celtic’s defender argues the measure is essential if the country ever wants to see the national team qualify for a major tournament again.

The Swede, who will play at the World Cup Finals in the summer, spoke out in the wake of the row over the length of the grass the Hoops had to play on against Hearts.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers branded the surface “embarrassing” and his player went even further.

“We went away to Hearts and played on grass that was really, really long and really dry,” he said.

“Of course, they try to do everything to get points, but I just hope Scottish football can see things and make some rules.

“If Scotland wants to make good players and make it to big tournaments, they need to have players who can play football and not just play on a rubbish pitch and try to get a point.

“I think it is a rule in the Champions League about how long the grass can be.

“I don’t think they have that here in Scotland and it is absolutely something to look at.”

Lustig has, meanwhile, revealed he escaped sanction for borrowing a policeman’s hat to celebrate Celtic’s clinching of the title.

“No, no. They weren’t happy about it, but our security guy, Jamie Church, spoke to the police,” he said.

Any celebration after Saturday’s Scottish Cup Final will, he has promised, be more sedate.

“I am making any plans to do it again? No, no. That is probably the last time I will do it.”

As for the game itself, the 31-year-old is preparing himself for a battle.

“It won’t be pleasant,” he said of the clash with Motherwell.

“The ball is going to get fired forward and, as a defender, you always need to be ready.

“We always want to win the ball high up, but they don’t give you the chance.

“They just kick the ball straight up and have two strong forwards working really hard.”