“I sat with Brendan for 20 minutes after the game and he never mentioned it,” Craig Levein said today, when asked about the Celtic manager’s criticism of the state of the Tynecaste pitch on Sunday after his side’s 3-1 win.
The Hearts boss had deliberately let the grass grow long and avoided watering the pitch in an attempt to disrupt Celtic’s style of play. It didn’t work out but Rodgers spoke out before the match and then again at full time. Had he lost it could have been regarded as sour grapes but even in victory Rodgers felt he had to speak up for the good of the game in Scotland.
“I would have hated to see the fury and the froth if they had actually lost the game,” Levein continued.
“If we want to talk about a level playing field, if they bring a team through here that earn the same money as our players do, then we will put them out on the pitch and see who wins.
“There is not a level playing field in Scotland and I make no apologies for staying within the rules and trying to win the game. None at all.
“He can moan and bleat all he wants, it will be the same again next season.
“I just get disappointed that Brendan can set his team up and his pitch up any way he wants.
“As long as we stay within the rules, then I don’t know what he’s bleating about. Celtic prepare their pitch the way they want it. It’s all a nonsense really.”
Levein, who a few months back stated that Scottish football needed protection from Scott Brown, didn’t agree that the Steven Naismith tackle on the Celtic skipper was a bad one – he was asked that question and simply said ‘no’ and confirmed that Hearts would contest any charge brought against the former Rangers and Everton striker if the compliance officer decides to take action today.
“I think everybody should get a bit more protection from Scott Brown really. But we will see,” said Levein after his side had been thrashed at Celtic Park at the end of January. Since that comment Brown has been assaulted by Ross County, Aberdeen and now Hearts players.
Naismith could also be charged with the cowardly assault on James Forrest in the same match that could have resulted in a serious injury.
Maybe Levein thinks that Scottish football needs protection from James Forrest too?
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