Rangers’ Scottish Premiership clash with Dundee is ON this evening after the Dens Park pitch passed an 11am pitch inspection.
However, there is set to be another inspection at 3:30pm amid forecasts of heavy rainfall.
Ibrox manager Philippe Clement was outspoken about the situation with Rangers left hanging in a hotel until they got the call to make the trip.
But even though the shoddy Dens Park surface has been given the green light, it is not a cast-iron guarantee with big challenges in Dundee over the rest of the day.
For the time being, Rangers fans have been given the nod to make the trip to Dundee with the Scottish Premiership clash set to go ahead.
It comes amid heavy rainfall on the surface, which has been covered to prevent an astonishing fifth call off this season.
Dundee pitch passes 11am inspection
With the penultimate post-split game set to kick off at 8pm, if Rangers can secure three points they will leap frog Celtic to the top of the Scottish Premiership.
Dundee too have an opportunity to break into the top six before the split and the financial implications of missing out on broadcasting revenue adding an extra incentive from their end.
After an inspection from match referee Don Robertson the game has been given the thumbs up with Dundee confirming a further inspection at 3:30pm.
“Following this morning’s scheduled pitch inspection the match referee has decided that the pitch is currently playable,” said Dundee.
“However, with rain forecast for later today both clubs and the league have agreed for a further pitch inspection to take place at 3.30pm today.”
Rangers could yet face “further complication”
Whilst the game is on as things stand, Rangers and Dundee are well aware of the weather forecast this afternoon.
As explained by Sky Sports reporter Mark Benstead, who has suggested that a 60-70% chance of rain is ensuring there will be nerves over the fixture all the way up to kick off.
“The issue potentially could be the forecast later in the day,” said Benstead. “The forecast from the Met Office for this area from around about midday until 5pm tonight is a 60/70%+ chance of rain.
“So that is a further complication that could come.”
So whilst for now the game has been given the thumbs up, it’s certainly not a cast-iron guarantee.
With five more hours of rain forecast on the surface before kick off, it’s clear anything can happen between now and 8pm.
But even if the game goes ahead, it’s clear the Dundee pitch is going to be quite a hurdle for Rangers and Philippe Clement.
The Ibrox manager has been outspoken about the state of the surfaces in Scotland but he has also told his team that they must overcome any challenge in front of them.
The Dens Park pitch isn’t quite the car park, but there might be some wishing it was come kick off.
