MX23RW : Wednesday, February 20 13:26:31

Jeremy Toljan believes player concerns over plastic pitches should be heard

Jeremy Toljan believes player concerns over plastic pitches should be heard
© Reuters
The German full-back is set for this first taste of artificial pitches in Scotland when Celtic travel to Kilmarnock on Sunday.

Celtic new boy Jeremy Toljan insists Scottish football needs to listen to player complaints over plastic pitches.

The on-loan Borussia Dortmund full-back is set to get his first taste of action on Kilmarnock's artificial surface on Sunday when the Hoops head to Rugby Park.

But Toljan admits he is stunned that the kind of synthetic turfs on show in Ayrshire as well as at Hamilton and Livingston are allowed in Scotland's top-flight.

The Parkhead first-team have joined with players from the eight other Ladbrokes Premiership clubs who play their home games on grass to sign a PFA Scotland petition demanding artificial turf is outlawed in the top flight.

However, the likes of Accies vice-chairman Les Gray and Livi boss Gary Holt have already been quick to dismiss the players' grumbles by insisting plastic is here to stay.

But Toljan says those putting their bodies on the line must have their voices heard.

"I haven't heard much about the pitch. We only started focusing on the Kilmarnock game after Thursday night's Valencia match," he said.

"I've played on astro before, so it's nothing new for me.

"But in Germany we don't play on these kind of pitches and I think it's better if we play on natural grass.

"For me it's better. It's better for the players' bodies and the quality of the game is better on normal grass.

"I'm a bit surprised to see so many clubs use the astro in Scotland because I think we have the conditions to have real grass here, so we could change that easy.

"Football is a player's game so if the players says it's better to play on grass pitches then we should do it."

Toljan has settled quickly into life under Brendan Rodgers after arriving late in the transfer window on a deal until the end of the season.

He has already edged Swede Mikael Lustig out of the the Northern Irishman's line-up and was one of the few men in green and white to escape Thursday's chastening 2-0 Europa League defeat to Valencia with praise.

But while many among the Parkhead faithful are already hoping an agreement can be struck with Dortmund – where Toljan has featured just once this term – to extend his stay in Scotland, the former Hoffenheim youngster is not looking too far ahead just yet.

The 24-year-old said: "I'm here and focused on playing right now. I'm not thinking about the future.

"I like it here. I'm playing at the moment so I'm happy. It was a difficult time for me at Dortmund but now I'm playing, so I'm just looking forward.

"I cannot talk about (what happens at the end of the season) as I have three more years on my Dortmund contract.

"The atmosphere here is crazy but the atmosphere in Dortmund is also very good, so we'll see. The atmospheres are different but both very good, very supportive and loud.

"It was a disappoint result on Thursday. To lose 2-0 at home is a bad result for us.

"But it hasn't spoiled the mood for me. We cannot win every game and Valencia are a good side. I don't know much about Kilmarnock right now but hopefully we can respond positively on Sunday."


Click here for more stories about Jeremy Toljan

Click here for more stories about Celtic

Share this article now:
Kilmarnock manager Steve Clarke pictured on May 5, 2018
Read Next:
Clarke: Celtic set the standard in Scottish football
>

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City27212474205465
2Liverpool26205159154465
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs26200654252960
4Manchester UnitedMan Utd26156552351751
5Arsenal26155653371650
6Chelsea26155645291650
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2611693433139
8Watford2610793434037
9Everton2796123639-333
10West Ham UnitedWest Ham2696113239-733
11Bournemouth26103133747-1033
12Leicester CityLeicester2695123134-332
13Crystal Palace2676132734-727
14Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2676132839-1127
15Burnley2676132947-1827
16Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2667132234-1225
17Cardiff CityCardiff2674152447-2325
18Southampton2659122844-1624
19Fulham2645172558-3317
20Huddersfield TownHuddersfield2625191448-3411

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Login, I already have my ad-free pass
Log in to customise Sports Mole
Buy ad-free access (show me the options)
Buy monthly ad-free access for £1.20/month
Buy yearly ad-free access for £12 (2 months free)
Settings - Logout - Manage your account
Settings - Logout - Manage your account