Pressley and Dani Mallo try to stop Rangers' Steven Davis

Steven Pressley slammed the Hampden pitch after his Falkirk side lost 3-0 to Rangers in their Co-operative Insurance Cup semi-final.

"For a semi-final, a spectacle for our national game, to be played in such an appalling playing field was very disappointing," said the defender.

"It wasn't conducive to the type of football that we try to play.

"We just can't accept that level of playing field, I really couldn't believe the standard of the surface."

Pressley stressed that he was not making excuses for his side's defeat as both Falkirk and Rangers struggled with the conditions.

Celtic and Dundee United will play out the other semi-final at Hampden on Wednesday night and Scotland's crucial World Cup qualifier against Iceland in April will also take place on the south side of Glasgow.

I didn't realise just how bad it was until we arrived here Falkirk defender Steven Pressley

"Prior to tonight's game, I heard Gordon Strachan commenting on the playing surface," said Pressley of the Celtic manager.

"He had said he would change his team selection because of the standard of the park.

"But I didn't realise just how bad it was until we arrived here."

Pressley, who is assistant to Scotland manager George Burley, thought that action would have to be taken before April's qualifier.

"I don't think I will need to go to George Burley," he said. "Anyone who was here witnessed the quality of the surface."

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