Keane: SPL not pitch perfect

Robbie Keane believes the Clydesdale Bank Premier League is bedevilled by poor pitches which would dissuade some players from coming to Scotland.

The Republic of Ireland star arrived at Celtic Park in January and has scored 12 goals in 12 games despite playing on some notoriously bad playing surfaces.

Keane will grace the Hampden pitch for the first time in the Active Nation Scottish Cup semi-final against Ross County but has been unimpressed by most other grounds so far.

“I didn’t think the pitches were going to be as bad to be honest,” he said.

“When people down south are watching the games and they see the pitches then obviously it doesn’t reflect brilliantly (on the SPL).

“It has been a bad winter for everyone and you have to take that into consideration.

“But look at the difference from when we play away from home and at home. The pitch here is fantastic and it helps the players we have who like to get the ball down and play.

“When you are playing on a pitch that has no grass it is very difficult to do that.”

Asked if players would perhaps think twice about coming to Scotland after seeing the pitches, the former Liverpool player said: “Yes, probably. I don’t want to get into the situation where I am slagging off Scottish football, I’m certainly not doing that.

“The pitches have not been good enough and I’m just stating the obvious.

“But I’m looking forward to playing at Hampden. Players always want to play in big stadiums and big games.”