Rangers have hit out on the method of the late determination to name off their sport at Dundee on Sunday, saying they had been left “angered” by an absence of communication.
Philippe Clement’s aspect had been due to play at noon on Sunday, however following two pitch inspections earlier within the day, the sport was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch by match referee Don Robertson.
The newest call-off marks Dundee’s third dwelling postponement within the Scottish Premiership this season, after video games towards Aberdeen and St Johnstone had been additionally called off around Christmas.
Match official Robertson instructed Sky Sports the primary concern concerned an space in entrance of one of many dugouts, which had been handled with sand however was nonetheless too waterlogged to be deemed secure.
“I was aware Dundee and the ground staff were working very hard on that specific area of the pitch as well as others causing them concern,” he mentioned.
“But sadly, what they have been in a position to do hasn’t been sufficient to make the realm secure for the gamers and that is the first consideration in these issues. I do know they have a number of sand, tried to take away among the water, nevertheless it wasn’t secure at 10.15am so sadly it has been postponed.
“We’re guided by the house membership on this scenario. They may have first sight of the pitch, they arrived this morning and noticed areas of concern and contacted the league and the Scottish FA.
“A local official came to do a primary pitch inspection, but it was agreed between the clubs and the SPFL that they would wait until 10.15am to conduct the final inspection of the pitch.”
The postponement means Celtic will finish the weekend high of the desk, following their 3-1 win over St Johnstone on Saturday.
In a strongly-worded assertion on their web site, Rangers claimed that they had not been knowledgeable of any potential points with the taking part in floor at Dens Park till Sunday morning, and questioned why that they had not been raised sooner.
“Rangers, on behalf of our supporters, are extremely disappointed and angered with the late call-off of today’s match,” they wrote.
“The first team have prepared as normal for the match, and it was not until this morning that any concerns over the playing surface were raised.
“It isn’t understood why the house membership didn’t increase these issues in a extra well timed method, given the reoccurring points they’ve had with their taking part in floor at earlier factors within the season.
“The Rangers team and thousands of our supporters had already arrived at the stadium by the time a decision was reached.
“This is the one match in all the UK senior leagues to be postponed this weekend, and given it was to be proven on Sky Sports nationwide, displays poorly on our sport.”
Clement: It’s a loopy scenario
Rangers supervisor Philippe Clement instructed Sky Sports:
“I’m very, very, very disappointed in many ways. We didn’t know anything that there was a problem, nobody contacted us, not yesterday evening, not overnight or this morning. Our kit man was here early and he told us there was the problem.
“That’s a really strange thing for me. Secondly, I think it will be the only game in all the leagues in Scotland postponed [today]. That’s a crazy situation. If you are playing in the Scottish Premiership, you should be playing with the highest standards and the best pitches also.
“The tv pays some huge cash to broadcast it, followers pay some huge cash to attend, and now the sport is postponed – it is a actually unusual scenario.”
Dundee proprietor Nelms: We did every little thing we might
Dundee proprietor John Nelms instructed Sky Sports:
“We’re supposed to be one of the most robust leagues in the world, the ball is rolling, we’ve had guys out here since 5am. Mother Nature’s done what she’s done, we’ve done everything we could to get this pitch in the right place.
“There are two small spots the place the ball is not bouncing, as we communicate. The remainder of the pitch is ok, they mentioned they do not assume we’ll have the ability to get it playable earlier than 12pm, in order that’s the place we’re at.”
In pictures: Why Rangers’ trip to Dundee was called off
What’s subsequent?
Dundee return to Scottish Premiership motion after the worldwide break at dwelling to St Johnstone on March 30, whereas Rangers face Hibs at Ibrox.
Both video games kick off at 3pm.
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