Reynolds makes pitch warning

The Dons defender hit out at the state of the surface at the National Stadium after his side went down 2-1 to Dundee United in the QTS Scottish League Cup semi-final.

The Reds centre-half refused to use the new turf - only recently laid after the running track used for last summer's Commonwealth Games was removed - as an excuse.

But he insisted Hampden bosses should have ensured the pitch was in a better state for the show-piece semi.

And he told the Old Firm duo it will only get worse when they face off in the second last-four clash on Sunday.

Reynolds said: "It was a strange pitch. As we were turning and trying to sprint away it was coming up in sheets as if it hadn't had time to bed down. There was literally clumps of grass coming up.

"It was the same for both teams and it was a shame because we both like to play football and it wasn't conducive to that at all.

"I'm not using it as an excuse but I think it would have been a lot better spectacle if the pitch had been better.

"I think for a match of this magnitude the pitch should be in a better state. You look at pitches around the country and not many of them are cutting up like that.

"I don't know what the reasons are - I'm certainly not an expert in that field - but it was certainly very strange.

"Thankfully we got to play on it before tomorrow. It's going to be even worse by then because there's not much you can turn around it 24 hours."

United won through to the March 15 final after Callum Morris and Nadir Ciftci both netted after Dons debutant Donervorn Daniels had put Derek McInnes' side ahead.

The on-loan West Brom defender admitted losing out on a place in the trophy decider was a bitter blow.

He said: "It was an incredible feeling. I can't explain how good it felt. But in the end we never got the victory we deserved.

"It was gut-wrenching because we came so close. As a defence we were strong but a few individual mistakes cost us.

"But there is a lot to look forward to for the rest of the season."

Ciftci's headed winner seven minutes from time did not require too much contact but the Turkish-born frontman was just pleased to see it beat Scott Brown.

He said: "Paul Paton put the ball in and I remembered hearing someone shout 'Keeper's'.

"But I couldn't see the keeper coming so I got the minimum touch on it and the ball went nicely into the corner.

"Sometimes if you get the maximum touch it doesn't go in. This time it was the minimum touch and it paid off.

"I'm delighted we got through. We have beaten Celtic before and we know we can beat anyone."