Celtic manager Ronny Deila hits out at state of Scottish pitches

Celtic manager Ronny Deila has blasted the state of pitches in Scotland following his side's 2-0 win over St Mirren.

The Hoops moved eight points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership table on Friday as they left St Mirren Park with the spoils.

However, Deila took time after the match to express his concern over the condition of playing surfaces around Scotland and how they are affecting players.

"Pitches in Scotland are terrible," the Norwegian is quoted as saying by Sky Sports News. "I just have to be honest. You try to get passing into the team and the ball is bouncing all the time. It is not even close to what you get in Europe.

"It is much easier for the other team to break down our play instead of trying to create something themselves. It is much better to play on artificial pitches than play on this, if they are watering them and they are the best quality, they are totally different and are closer to European pitches.

"If we are going to develop good young players you need to have a good surface to train on and play on, if not you get what you are - fighters. If you want skills and technique you have to play on better surfaces."

Celtic continue their title defence on Wednesday when they host Partick Thistle.