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.
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.
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.
🚨 BREAKING: Dundee vs Rangers will take place at the Scot Foam Stadium tomorrow – 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗸𝘆 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 – after a successful pitch inspection. Full story ⬇️
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) April 16, 2024
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