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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Ben Banks

The Rangers and Celtic Hampden pitch verdict as Beale and Postecoglou give their view on showpiece 'central actor'

They've both claimed they want it in top condition - with Rangers boss Michael Beale and Celtic counterpart Ange Postecoglou now seeing Hampden improvements.

Both bosses hammered the cut-up turf in Mount Florida after their respective Viaplay Cup semi-finals successes on a weekend of wet and wild weather adding to the problems the pitch faced last month. Improvement work has been undertaken ahead of this weekend's showpiece final between Rangers and Celtic, with both bosses at the national stadium on Tuesday to glance over the pitch where their players will hope to get one major win over their rivals.

Beale reiterated his disappointment in the semi-final conditions but can't fault the efforts made for improvement. He said: "When we were there before, unfortunately us and Aberdeen were the third and fourth teams to play that weekend and unfortunately the weather didn't help.

A general view of Hampden Park (SNS Group / SFA)

"There's no one playing before us this weekend, it's clear there's been a lot of work done on the pitch as well. It's going to be a big factor in the game and hopefully it will allow the game to be as good a spectacle as it can be."

Postecoglou admits Hampden's grass could only improve from the last time he saw it. And that will be key for how the game is broadcast to the world. He added: "It's improved, definitely, it had to. It's in better condition, so hopefully it's a chance for both teams to play at a good level.

"It's not just that it stops us playing our football, it's part of the event, it's about promoting Scottish football and we want it to be perceived as good as possible. The pitch is going to be a central actor in the event and hopefully it will be a good one."

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