The Rangers match against Dundee in the Scottish Premiership will go ahead at Dens Park at the third time of asking.
The previous two meetings were postponed at Dundee’s home stadium, with an alternative venue lined up if the Dens Park pitch failed a pitch inspection on Tuesday morning.
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St Johnstone ground lined up as alternative venue
Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) bosses announced on Monday that if Dens Park failed the Tuesday inspection, the game would be moved to St Johnstone’s home ground, McDiarmid Park.
They drafted in UEFA-accredited pitch consultants to decide whether the game was in a fit state to host the league match. The referee, Don Robertson, was also involved in the pitch inspection on Tuesday morning.
On Monday, St Johnstone CEO Stan Harris said: “In conjunction with Dundee FC, Rangers FC and the SPFL we have agreed to a request to use McDiarmid Park should the rearranged game scheduled for Wednesday 17th April fail a pitch inspection.
“A pitch inspection will take place on the morning of Tuesday 16th April after which we will know if McDiarmid Park is required.
“St Johnstone have already put plans in place to host this game and will work with Dundee FC and Rangers FC to ensure a smooth transition from Dens Park ticketing to McDiarmid Park seating arrangements.
“Further details regarding this possible change of venue will be made by Dundee FC and Rangers FC.”
SPFL bosses announce that Rangers match to go ahead at Dens Park
On Tuesday, it was announced the Dundee against Rangers match will be played at Dens Park, as the pitch passed inspection.
In a statement, the SPFL said: “The SPFL can confirm that the cinch Premiership game between Dundee and Rangers scheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday April 17, is set to go ahead as planned at the Scot Foam Stadium, Dens Park. The game, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, kick-off 8.00pm, passed a pitch inspection by the match referee this morning.
The SPFL can confirm Wednesday's #cinchPrem game between Dundee and Rangers is set to go ahead as planned at the Scot Foam Stadium, Dens Park.
You can watch the match LIVE on @SkySports
— SPFL (@spfl) April 16, 2024
“On the basis of the weather forecasts and following discussions with the SPFL-appointed pitch consultants, who have been at the stadium for a number of days, no further inspection is planned ahead of the match.”
Dundee and Rangers react to SPFL statement
Dundee also produced a statement that read, “We are delighted to announce that the pitch has passed the pitch inspection and the match will take place at The Scot Foam Stadium at 8pm tomorrow as planned. No further pitch inspection is planned. We would like to thank St Johnstone for offering McDiarmid Park.”
We are delighted to announce that the pitch has passed the pitch inspection and the match will take place at The Scot Foam Stadium at 8pm tomorrow as planned. No further pitch inspection is planned.
We would like to thank St Johnstone for offering McDiarmid Park.#thedee pic.twitter.com/bfF7nO56Lj
— Dundee Football Club (@DundeeFC) April 16, 2024
A Rangers spokesperson added: “Following a pitch inspection, tomorrow’s Scottish Premiership match with Dundee will go ahead at Dens Park with an 8pm kick-off.”
Significance of Rangers match explained
Rangers know that a win against Dundee at Dens Park on Wednesday evening will move them a point behind Celtic with five matches to play. Dundee currently sit in sixth place, knowing that a win against the Gers would move them four points ahead of Hibernian in seventh place.
The two teams last met at Dens Park back in November 2023, when Rangers ran out 5-0 winners.