Motherwell players examine Dens Park ahead of their game on 6th April 2024. Photo - Russell Cheyne/Shutterstock

Dens Park passes pitch inspection ahead of Dundee’s match against Rangers

It looks like a case of third time lucky for Dundee as their Dens Park pitch today passed a pitch inspection from match referee Don Robertson for their game against theRangers tomorrow evening. The sun has been out this morning up in Tayside and that doubt has helped conditions on the Dens Park pitch which has suffered from drainage issues this season.

Ross County interim manager Don Cowie looks towards theRangers manager Philippe Clement as the final whistle sounds. Clement did not shake hands with Cowie at full-time. Photo Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock

Dundee blamed for theRangers defeat in Dingwall

And much to the annoyance of theRangers their game against Dundee has already been postponed twice. That and the defeat at Dingwall on Sunday has been too much for the Ibrox club, we’ve had statements, moaning in interviews, their manager failing to shake the Ross County manager’s hand and then blaming Dundee for their defeat in the Highlands!

Meanwhile Celtic have opened a four points lead at the top of the table, having already completed our post split fixture. Anything other than a win tonight for Philippe Clement’s side will be a total disaster for the struggling title chases, who thought they had it won just a few weeks ago.

Josh Sims of Ross County celebrates with team mates Jack Baldwin and Simon Murray of Ross County after scoring to give Ross County a 3-1 lead. Photo Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock

McDiarmid Park in Perth was on stand-by

The SPFL had lined up McDiarmid Park in nearby Perth as an alternative venue should the Dens Park pitch fail today’s inspection. That was a sensible solution, particularly as supporters with tickets would have still been admitted. But that precaution thankfully is not needed and both sides will now be desperate for a win tomorrow evening.

Don Robertson gave Dens Park the green light

Don Robertson carried out the pitch inspection this morning and has declared the Dens Park pitch playable. The SPFL also engaged a pitch consultancy firm to check on conditions underfoot a Dens Park.

The match is live on Sky Sports tomorrow evening and there’s a strong Celtic interest as we await the outcome to see if we are four, three or one point ahead going into the final five post split matches.

Post-split fixtures expected tomorrow 

And perhaps tomorrow the SPFL will get round to issuing the fixture lists for the games, with Celtic due three home matches, against theRangers, Hearts and one of Kilmarnock, St Mirren and Dundee with two away games against the remaining two.

Meanwhile theRangers will have three away matches and will have to travel to both Celtic Park and Tynecastle to play Hearts. They will have just two matches at Ibrox.

Celtic back as title favourites

Understandably Celtic are back as title favourites but the focus for now for Brendan Rodgers and his players is on the Scottish Cup semi-final against Aberdeen at Hampden on Saturday afternoon. But they can be forgiven for having an eye on events at Dens Park tomorrow evening.

ON CELTIC SHORTS…Celtic FC Women Photo Gallery – Sadiku completes Glasgow treble, beating Rangers, City and Thistle

Tags Dens Park Pitch Inspection Dundee v theRangers
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