tThe SFA and SPFL have confirmed that they will look to "mitigate" the impact of weather on Hampden ahead of the Viaplay Cup showdown between Rangers and Celtic next month.
The Glasgow giants will go head to head after at the national stadium on February 26 to decide who will lift the trophy after seeing off Aberdeen and Kilmarnock at the semi-final stage. One of the main talking points coming out of the game has been the standard of the pitch at Hampden, with all four bosses involved raising concerns over the surface during their post-match debriefs.
Scotland was battered by heavy wind and rain on Saturday while Ange Postecoglou's men overcame Killie in the first game of the weekend, before Michael Beale and Jim Goodwin saw their sides struggle at times to overcome the turf. With the cup final just around the corner along with Scotland's European qualifiers against Cyprus and Spain in March the governing bodies have pledged to take action.
A joint statement from the Scottish FA and Scottish Professional Football League: read: “The Scottish FA and Scottish Professional Football League have today discussed ways in which we can mitigate the ongoing inclement weather to optimise the playing surface for the Viaplay Cup Final next month and forthcoming international matches at Hampden Park
“The inclement weather conditions, allied to the fixture schedule being dictated by a winter World Cup, contributed to the underfoot conditions during two otherwise exciting and entertaining semi-final ties.
"Whilst significant work was completed in late October, enhanced pitch maintenance provision is being investigated as a priority, to ensure the best possible surface is available for the remainder of the season, notwithstanding the sustained forecast for more rain and challenging weather conditions.”
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