 Celtic manager Gordon Strachan trudges over a sodden Fir Park |
Mark McGhee called for a deadline for pitch inspections after Motherwell's league match with Celtic was postponed less than an hour before the kick off. Despite heavy rain the fixture at Fir Park was passed fit after a 1500GMT inspection but referee Charlie Richmond called off the game around 1855.
"I think there now has to be some kind of threshold," Well boss McGhee said.
"The authorities have to look at, say 12 o'clock as the latest we can have a pitch inspection."
McGhee refused to blame anyone for the late postponement but believes the Scottish Premier League must act to save supporters from more wasted journeys.
 | If we had the pitch inspection at 12pm it would probably have been off Motherwell manager Mark McGhee |
"If we had the pitch inspection at 12pm it would probably have been off - I saw it at 3pm and for me it was unplayable.
There had been a heavy downpour of rain earlier on Wednesday but little rain had fallen between the two inspections, although the pitch was clearly waterlogged.
"Our players have gone on the pitch since it was called off and they said it was unplayable," McGhee continued.
"We can't be blamed, the referee at three o'clock can't be blamed and the referee now can't be blamed."
Celtic manager Gordon Strachan agreed with his former Aberdeen team-mate.
"To protect the fans we need to have a better way of doing it," Strachan said.
"I think officials of both clubs need to be there at the same time, that would be handy.
"We could discuss it and talk about the problems either side might have."
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"I was on there before the game with (SPL delegate) Alex Smith and Alex says it was going to be a problem and then the referee had a look at it and he said it was dangerous for the players.
"And I believe that as well.
"There were areas we could play, but at least a third of the pitch where it wouldn't be possible," Strachan added.
The postponement adds to an already crowded fixture backlog, which could worsen soon with wintry weather forecast ahead of Saturday's Scottish Cup fifth round fixtures.
The game was originally scheduled for 6 January but was postponed following the death of Motherwell captain Phil O'Donnell.
Gordon Strachan's side had been hoping to close the gap on league leaders Rangers to one point with a win.
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Interview: Motherwell manager Mark McGhee
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