GLASGOW (AFP) - Hampden Park's highly-criticised pitch will be replaced before the Scottish League Cup final between Celtic and Dundee United next month.

The surface at the Scottish national stadium in Glasgow was described as shocking by Celtic captain Scott Brown after it cut up badly during his side's recent semi-final win over Rangers.

The turf was laid after the stadium was converted back into a football ground following its temporary status as an athletics venue during the Commonwealth Games.

But it cannot be repaired and will have to be replaced in time for the League Cup showpiece on March 15, which is followed by Scotland's games against Northern Ireland and Gibraltar in the following fortnight.

The Scottish Professional Football League complained to Hampden Park bosses about the "highly unsatisfactory" pitch after the semi-finals while all four managers of the League Cup's last-four participants criticised the surface.

Peter Dallas, managing director of Hampden Park, said in a statement: "We brought independent sports turf consultants in last week and they have reported that the current condition of the pitch is a result of a combination of weather, use and the timing of the pitch having to be laid in November.

"They also reported that, taking into consideration weather forecasts and planned use of the surface between now and the final, provision for re-turfing should be considered to ensure the best possible pitch for the League Cup final.

"We are putting a schedule of works in place to ensure the pitch will be installed in March prior to the final and Scotland internationals."