On a day that saw Celtic dominate Livingston with a compelling second-half performance, the spotlight wasn’t solely the 3-0 victory . Instead, former Celtic star and current Sky Sports pundit, Chris Sutton, directed the post-match discourse towards the synthetic surface at Livingston’s home ground, labeling it an “embarrassment” for top-flight football.
Sutton, known for his forthrightness, didn’t mince his words. He expressed relief at the prospect of potentially never having to witness top-tier football played on Livingston’s “monstrosity of a pitch” again, especially as the club teeters on the brink of relegation.
His critique taps into a broader sentiment shared by many within the football—that natural grass should be a non-negotiable standard for the game at its highest level.
Under the watchful eye of manager Brendan Rodgers from the stands—due to a one-game suspension—the team exhibited a performance that was both dominant and decisive. Especially noteworthy was the return of Reo Hatate to the starting XI, marking his first appearance since January with a display that reminded everyone of what he was about.
An own goal by Livingston’s Jamie Brandon. Subsequent goals by Paulo Bernardo and Matt O’Riley sealed the deal, propelling Celtic to a comfortable win.
The debate over artificial pitches is not new, but Sutton’s comments bring it back into focus at a critical juncture for Livingston
We would all like to see pristine playing conditions in the SPFL, but these clubs save a lot of money by putting down a synthetic surface. We have to look at how we can absorb the costs within the league. It’s better for the game and the players’ health.
