Livingston manager Gary Holt has blasted Scotland manager Alex McLeish after he pointed the finger at Livi’s pitch for causing an injury to Celtic star Kieran Tierney.
The Hoops defender had to pull out of the Scotland squad to face Albania and Israel this week after feeling muscle tightness that he couldn’t shake of, with McLeish quick to blame the artificial surface at Livingston.
Tierney played a full 90 minutes on the surface prior to the international break.
Holt though thinks it’s a ridiculous suggestion, believing Tierney pulling out is probably due to fatigue as much as anything.
As quoted by The Scottish Sun, the Livi boss said:
I was at the game on Sunday and I think Kieran Tierney played 90 minutes and I think he played 90 minutes on Thursday. In fact I think the other boys who played would all be stiff after the game considering the amount they have played.
Let’s be honest I think they will blame Brexit on Livingston’s pitch these days. It’s an excuse that’s what it is. It’s people looking for excuses as usual.
The boy is tight, he’s played a lot of games, maybe that is the reason for it. You can’t turn around and blame somebody’s pitch. I think that is just somebody making an excuse.
It obviously makes that easy for him because he doesn’t have the headache of who does he play, Robertson or Tierney?
Clearly furious, does Holt have a point when it comes to Tierney’s schedule causing fatigue as much as fake grass at Livingston?
Managers across the Scottish Premiership have criticised the surface at Holt’s club, so it’s clearly not a perfect situation for visiting players. Brendan Rodgers has even rested players in the past when the Hoops are due to play on a non-grass pitch.
All I really care about is that Tierney is fit enough to play after the international break. With important games ahead and a massive December on the horizon, it’s hugely important we are at full strength.
Fingers crossed whatever the issue is doesn’t keep him out for too long.