THE state of the Glanford Park turf has come under much scrutiny in recent weeks. But for Michael O'Connor it will be pitch perfect after his experiences this week.

While his Scunthorpe United team-mates have been training in a relative lap of luxury at a health resort, O'Connor has just returned from a 'shambolic' trip to Albania with Northern Ireland.

Normally the midfielder would be grateful of some game-time while in the midst of a three-match suspension for the Iron, but a 1-0 defeat in difficult circumstances made it less than enjoyable.

"It wasn't the best of trips," admitted O'Connor, who now has nine caps for his country.

"It was a shambles right from the first minute.

"When we first got there for our training session, there were no footballs, so we couldn't train properly.

"It wasn't a very nice place and the pitch was really bad – probably the worst pitch I've ever played on.

"I played 45 minutes but didn't do too well.

"I like to play football and you couldn't do that on that pitch so it was hard for me.

"But no-one really played very well.

"Then the manager changed it round at half-time, taking me and one of the other lads off.

"It was just good to get away with some good players, players who play in the Premiership.

"It's good to test yourself against them."

For the full story, see Saturday's Scunthorpe Telegraph.