There is still one outstanding question to be resolved about the postponing of Sunday’s Dundee vs. Rangers game: when will it be rescheduled? The postponement of the game has generated a great deal of criticism and debate.
Less than two hours before kickoff, match referee Don Robertson declared Dens Park unusable. Rangers were upset that the game was called off so close to the scheduled noon start time. It has been revealed that Dundee attempted to move the start time back to 3 p.m., but their request was eventually denied. As a result, the SPFL is now responsible for arranging a new date for the game.
This rescheduling is more complicated than usual. There isn’t going to be a match this month because of the current international break. On Saturday, March 30, Rangers will play their next game at home against Hibs, while Dundee will visit St Johnstone on the same day. Because of this, the game may only be played during a two-week midweek window before the league divides on April 14, the day following game-week 33.
One of the remaining games, Rangers vs. Celtic on Sunday, April 7, is undoubtedly going to cause scheduling headaches. Given that Celtic are idle, Rangers will probably want a complete free week to get ready for what will be a pivotal game in a close championship fight. The dates Tuesday, April 2, or Wednesday, April 3, are available for the SPFL to propose as they are for both the Ibrox team and Dundee. Due to Dundee’s April 6 match against Motherwell, Thursday, April 4 is cancelled. Additionally, as such dates do not conflict with any UEFA Champions League, Europa League, or Conference League events, Sky Sports would be able to broadcast the match live.
Rangers are now outside of Europe, therefore another alternative is the following midweek. at the last pre-split matchup, Rangers will play Ross County at Dingwall the following day, while Dundee will travel to Aberdeen on Saturday, April 13. The only date open in that range is Wednesday, April 10, as the Gers will be playing on April 7. However, Sky Sports would probably prefer a different time period because the Champions League quarterfinals were on TV that evening.
It is hardly surprising that Rangers manager Philippe Clement wanted the game to be played given the busy schedule and the impending Old Firm encounter. But there’s also a lot to be gained in Dundee. Tony Docherty’s team, which is now two points behind Hibs in seventh position, is aiming for a top-six spot. This season, their schedule has been impacted by postponements and rescheduled games due to the problematic Dens Park surface. League executives will be considering that last issue when they search for a date. This specific stretch of grass in Tayside is very unreliable, come rain or shine.
League executives and delegates from both teams will be deep in negotiations to determine the ideal time to reschedule a match that is crucial to the Premiership title and the race for a spot in the top six. Hibs and Celtic will also be observing intently. Such a scenario would arouse attention only in Scottish football.