3 weeks ago
20
IT’S the news everyone was dreading as Rangers’ huge Premiership clash with Dundee has been CALLED OFF for a second time.
It’s the FIFTH postponement at the Scot Foam stadium this season – with SPFL bosses already thought to be in the middle of an investigation into the last postponement.
Referee Don Robertson said the pitch was playable when the pitch underwent an 11am inspection.
But five hours of heavy rain fell in Dundee immediately after that check, and now the surface has been deemed unplayable.
The Dee’s clash with Rangers was originally supposed to be played back on Sunday, 17 March.
But just 90 minutes before kick-off, referee Robertson postponed the match after inspecting the pitch.
And now the SPFL board have ruled that the match will take place back at the same venue next Wedneday, April 17.
That’s after all the other matches involving the top and bottom six split have taken place – and just days before Rangers face a Scottish Cup semi-final against Hearts.
Reports earlier had suggested that kick-off could be pushed back 24 hours to Thursday – with the prospect of playing behind closed doors at a neutral venue also claimed to be on the table.
But John Nelms got his wish after stating the ‘logical’ move will be to play the match NEXT midweek.
He said: “Well, luckily we don’t play the split until the 27th so we still have the 16th and 17th next week.
“I’ve been looking at a lot of weather reports, it’s supposed to be dry for the four days prior to those days so therefore you would have thought that would be the logical move.”
Gers boss Philippe Clement has grown frustrated with the lack of notice surrounding the fixture and branded the current situation “crazy”.
Dundee matches postponed this season
There have been FOUR Premiership fixtures called off in total for Dundee this campaign - three of which were at Dens Park.
2023
October 21 – Aberdeen vs Dundee (rescheduled for 30 January, 2024
December 23 – Dundee vs Aberdeen (rescheduled for 13 March, 2024)
2024
January 2 – Dundee vs St Johnstone (rescheduled for 11 February, 2024)
March 17 – Dundee vs Rangers (rescheduled for 10 April, 2024)
Speaking yesterday, he said: “It’s a crazy situation, we are going to travel now and stay (overnight) but we don’t know for sure if the game is on. It’s a bad situation for the league.
More to follow.
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