THE opponents of artificial pitches were last night branded 'dinosaurs' by Hamilton Academical whose own plastic surface was voted the worst in the country.

Les Gray, vice-chairman of the Lanarkshire club, hit back at PFA Scotland chief Fraser Wishart who insisted the study carried out among his members proved players overwhelmingly preferred to play on grass.

New Douglas Park was voted bottom of the 42 professional pitches and fellow Premiership side Kilmarnock came in third last.

League bosses have no plans to force clubs to tear up their artificial pitches any time soon and Gray believes more will follow Hamilton. His club are installing a new 3G pitch over the summer at a cost of £750,000.

"I understand that 12 of the 42 clubs will have artificial surfaces next season," said Gray. "I believe that within ten years, up to 70 per cent of our senior teams won't be playing on grass.

"Those who do not think this is the way forward for Scottish football are dinosaurs.

"The technology is improving all the time and given the climate in this country, it makes complete sense to continue down this road.

"Our pitch is key for a club such as ourselves for so many reasons.

Promoted Livingston ripped up their pitch meaning a quarter of Premiership stadiums next season won't have natural grass.

Celtic and Hearts are installing hybrid surfaces which are a combination of grass and synthetic fibres.