Kilmarnock boss backs new plastic Rugby Park pitch

KILMARNOCK boss Allan Johnston hopes the grass will be greener for his side if the club press ahead with plans for a plastic pitch at Rugby Park.

Kilmarnock's Rugby Park. Picture: SNS

Reports on Friday suggested the Ayrshire side were considering installing an astroturf surface.

The club have already announced a deal that will see investor Billy Bowie help wipe out the club’s £9.4million debt owed to the Bank of Scotland.

The move will also see chairman Michael Johnston step down from his position at the end of the season - although still retaining a place on the board - and the Park Hotel sold to Bowie in order to pay off some of the debt.

And boss Johnston believes the pitch plan is another positive step.

The Killie manager, whose side were beaten 3-0 by Celtic on Friday night, said: “There have been a few different ideas spoken about. But putting down astroturf makes sense.

“It would allow the club to train in the town again rather than having to do it up in Glasgow. That would be a good idea. It would allow us to get the youths used to the stadium as well.

“I can see why they would be looking at that as a option for the future.”

Kilmarnock would need the backing of the Scottish Professional Football League board before it could lay down an astroturf pitch.

Dunfermline were the last side to use a plastic surface in the top flight before the Scottish Premier League outlawed artificial turf in 2005.