JIM GOODWIN insists his astroturf complaints are only surface level but called for grass pitches to be a remit in the Scottish Premiership.
The Aberdeen boss admitted he's not a fan of artificial turf in the top flight with the debate on plastic surfaces reaching fever pitch this term.
Goodwin - who worked on an artificial surface during his time at Alloa - is understanding of the financial benefits of astroturf pitches but is certain players, managers and fans would prefer all grass pitches in the top league.
Ahead of tonight's trip to the Tony Macaroni Arena, Goodwin said: “I know Davie Martindale and the guys at Kilmarnock won’t be happy with me saying I don’t enjoy the astroturf.
“I know this becomes the headline now but we have made a lot of improvements in our game in Scotland; the introduction of the play-off system and the top half splitting and everything has added real excitement to the game and commercially makes it a better saleable product and finding the finances for VAR has been good and puts us in line with some of the top European countries and league.
"Next on the agenda needs to be how do we get back to having grass pitches in the Premier League because there is no doubt the game is better when it is on a nice surface.
"I do understand Davie Martindale and I heard his comments at the weekend about how it benefits Livingston financially but in the top-flight I don’t think there is any reason why we shouldn’t all have grass parks and that should be a remit.
"I think this should be something we look at with grass pitches. It makes our game look better. When you see it on TV with the Astro, it is completely different. And I don’t speak for everyone at the club here, I just speak for myself."
Goodwin went on to defend Dons striker Luis 'Duk' Lopes after Livi assistant Marvin Bartley suggested he had dived to win a penalty against Hibs.
On Sportscene, Bartley had said: “It’s a dive for me. He’s already on his way down, there’s no doubt about it. He’s already fallen before Marshall makes contact."
But Goodwin insisted Duk is not a diver, stating: “If he was a diver then I would be having strong words with him. My players aren’t encouraged to dive."
