Join thousands of fans who have signed up to our Celtic newsletter. Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Craig Levein insists Brendan Rodgers’ refusal to blood teenage talent is more damaging to Scottish football than the length of the grass at Tynecastle could ever be.

The Hearts head coach launched a stinging attack on the Celtic boss who described the surface as "embarrassing" after the Hoops’ 3-1 win in Gorgie.

Levein is adamant his club did nothing wrong in deciding against cutting the grass ahead of the champions’ visit.

But he has been left seething by Rodgers claiming the development of players could be hampered pitches like Hearts’ as he stated: "Scotland haven't qualified (for a major finals) for 20-odd years and we're trying to develop players and a product here to move the game on.”

Former Scotland manager Levein hit back: “I never knew it was as simple as that. So if we cut all the grass short, then we’ll go to the finals? Brilliant. Why did nobody think of that? That’s just unbelievable.”

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

Levein has handed senior debuts to the likes of Anthony McDonald, Harry Cochrane this season - both 16 years of age at the time of their first appearances - and this week completed the signing of Glenavon midfielder Bobby Burns.

He tacitly compared that to Celtic’s loan captures of Odsonne Eduoard, Charly Musonda and Patrick Roberts.

Levein added: “The development of players for me is about giving them the opportunity to play - much, much more than the length of the grass. That is a serious comment.

(Image: SNS)

(Image: SNS Group)

“Bobby Burns, for example, is 18 years of age. Some clubs in this country have got fantastic players at 18, 19, 20 and never play. They go and get loan players from elsewhere, who are the same age - and don’t play their own kids.

“That’s what hampers Scotland’s development.

“I make no excuses for trying to win the game. It’s just a nonsense. They actually won the game as well. God forbid … what would have happened if they had lost?”

Levein’s incredulity at Rodgers’ comments was only increased by the fact the Northern Irishman did not once mention his disappointment with the surface when they met for the traditional managers’ chat after the game.

(Image: SNS Group)

And he insists that if Rodgers truly wants a level playing field at Tynecastle, then he should arrive in Gorgie with a squad assembled on Hearts’ budget.

Levein continued: “I spoke to Brendan for 20 minutes after the game and he never mentioned it. There were no complaints about the grass.

“If you want to talk about evening up the playing field then maybe if he brought a team along that earned the same money as our players then that would be fair.

“The pitch was alright. There was plenty of grass on it. I wish I could be in a position where that’s the only thing I had to worry about. It was miles better than when they were last here in the 4-0 game. I’m gutted about ripping it up now!”

Asked whether the grass had been cut following a scorching Bank Holiday Monday, Levein, who also confirmed Hearts would fight any charge issued to Steven Naismith for an alleged stamp on Scott Brown on Sunday, smiled: “Yes, of course.”