As Rangers’ clash with Dundee is postponed for a second time due to the Dens Park pitch, we’re gearing up for round three in a week’s time.
The Ibrox side were left furious with the handling of the situation, which is Dundee’s fifth call off of the season due to their budget surface.
It’s clear that Rangers don’t particularly see eye-to-eye with Celtic’s cronies in the Dundee boardroom and the situation has added to the tension around the fixture.
But what is the lay of the land as things stand?
Between SPFL sanctions, the Scottish Premiership split and the tense nature of this season’s title race, this match has become an increasing frustration for everyone involved.
What is the situation with Dundee v Rangers?
As things stand, Rangers are set to once again travel to Dundee with their 4000 supporters next week on Wednesday 17th April at 8pm.
However, with the Dundee pitch unable to cope with heavy rainfall there remains big doubts over whether or not the game will be able to be played.
Rangers have recommended alternative options to the SPFL but are awaiting the outcome of these proposals.
Dundee are adamant that they want the game played at Dens Park – despite twice letting Rangers and their supporters down – with the game still very much on a knife-edge.
The situation is also complicated by the fact Sky Sports – who have twice made the trip to Dens Park in vain – are scheduled to broadcast the match live.
The match was original scheduled to take place on the afternoon of Sunday, March 17th.
What is the impact of the second postponement?
With the final match before the Scottish Premiership split scheduled to take place this weekend, given Dundee’s position in the table the post-split fixtures cannot be settled until the game is played.
As a result, the situation has disrupted the Scottish Premiership season and by proxy the rest of the teams.
Hibs – who are competing with Dundee for a top six place – have also waded into the argument by reportedly claiming the decision to play the game after this weekend brings the sporting integrity of the competition into disrepute.
This is because Dundee will go into the match with Rangers knowing what result they need to finish in the top half.
There is also an ongoing dynamic shift at the top of the Scottish Premiership, with Rangers one point behind Celtic although they boast a game in hand.
This game in hand should’ve been played before the last Old Firm, but the initial postponement meant Celtic went into that match top of the division.
Rangers could now slip four points behind Celtic in the league table before they face Ross County this weekend, with the Parkhead side playing St Mirren the day before.
What is Rangers’ stance?
It’s fair to say Rangers are furious.
The Ibrox side released a stinging statement following the call-off and demanded SPFL sanctions for the situation.
With these in the pipeline, the Rangers statement also takes aim at the lack of professionalism from Dundee and the SPFL.
A statement reads:
“Rangers has written to the SPFL outlining its position following today’s further postponement of the Dundee Scottish Premiership fixture.
“The negligence and unprofessionalism demonstrated by Dundee Football Club, where they have repeatedly breached SPFL rules, continues to have a damaging effect on the top professional league in the country.
“In a week where record TV viewing figures were recorded for a match in the same competition, and this evening’s game due to be televised again by Sky Sports, this episode is deeply embarrassing and has also been eminently avoidable.
“Rangers expects the SPFL to take proportionate and decisive action in accordance with its rules, and the club will continue to make representations to them in the strongest possible manner.
“The club has been repeatedly putting forward solutions to the SPFL, which have not been taken up. It has again proposed a solution to the preparation and execution of this rescheduled fixture and is awaiting a response from the SPFL. As things stand, the rescheduled match will be on Wednesday, April 17 at 8pm. The club considers that this matter has been handled incorrectly throughout by both Dundee and the SPFL.
“At this time, we sympathise fully once again with our supporters, approximately 4000 of whom were looking forward to attending tonight’s game. Having already been left hugely inconvenienced and out of pocket by the first postponement last month, it is entirely unacceptable and disrespectful on the part of Dundee FC to have allowed this situation to have developed again.”
What is the SPFL’s stance?
The SPFL too haven’t been shy in condemning Dundee’s handling of the situation.
Whilst the professional members’ body has shown itself up for its handling of the pitch – Dundee yet to be sanctioned despite a fifth call-off – the situation has reached boiling point.
Referee Don Robertson has explained the decision in detail, claiming that the pitch was not safe enough for players to play football on.
SPFL chief operating officer Calum Beattie had this to say:
“The Match Referee has carried out two detailed pitch inspections today and in light of the forecast for heavy rain later today in Dundee, a decision has now been taken that the pitch will not be playable this evening.
“Whilst this development is extremely disappointing, we have had contingency measures in place since last month and informed both clubs by email on March 21st of our intention, should tonight’s game fall victim to the weather, that we would rearrange the game for Dens Park on the evening of Wednesday, April 17th. In the last week we have explored other possible options with both clubs but none of them were deemed to be better than our original contingency plan.
“This decision gives this vital fixture the very best chance of being played in front of both sets of supporters and also gives us a week to finalise further contingency planning in the event that the weather unexpectedly deteriorates in the interim.
“There is currently an ongoing disciplinary process regarding pitch issues at Dens Park and the latest developments will form part of those enquiries.”
What is Dundee’s stance on pitch?
Well, not a very responsible one, truth be told.
Under-fire managing director John Nelms – who has been resoundingly criticised for the contempt with which he has treated this situation – was nowhere to be seen yesterday.
Instead Dundee wheeled out the club’s secretary Eric Drysdale, who went on to blame climate change for the surface not being up to scratch.
That’s despite Tannadice’s pitch gleaming 100 metres away and local amateur team Tayside Fire Brigade playing a match at the University of Dundee’s Riverside on the night of the postponement.
“I can understand people are annoyed at this and are looking at it as Dundee’s fault,” said Drysdale.
“What I would say is that from the research we have done in the last few days this year’s rainfall is 35 per cent higher than the 10 year average – that shows the effects of climate change on it and it shows the work we have to do urgently on the Dens Park pitch.
“The pitch is of a very good quality but there have been a number of occasions when home fixtures have corresponded with bad weather such as the storms last October which was the highest rainfall ever recorded in Scotland and on the back of Storm Babette between Christmas and New Year when we had the fixture with St Johnstone.
“It’s very clear that work needs to be done to rectify the situation and we absolutely recognise the challenges we face and the club will do what is needed.”
What is the Dundee weather forecast next week?
The weather forecast for next week in Dundee is a mixed one and will do little to allay genuine fears that the bumbling grounds team will be unable to sort the pitch.
More rain is forecasted going into the weekend but this is expected to clear on Monday, with light rain once again predicted on Wednesday.
If the match cannot be played next week, then expect pandemonium in Scottish football with the game already teed up to be a crucial one with a number of permutations.
