Dens Park will host fans if Dee make play-off final

Dundee have plans in place to welcome fans back to Dens Park next week, should if make it through to the play-off final.

The Scottish Government’s announcement that Covid restrictions are to move to Level 2 next week will let fans inside stadiums for the first time in over 14 months.

That means both legs of the Premiership play-off final can have 500 fans present.

So supporters of either Dundee or Raith Rovers from the Championship and the top-flight’s 11thplaced team – Kilmarnock, Ross County or Hamilton Accies – will be able to watch their team live.

If it is Dundee who find a way past Raith in this week’s semi-final, a ballot of season ticket holders will select the lucky fans.

It’s understood plans have been in place for some time to allow all 500 supporters to be housed in the Bobby Cox Stand.

A Dundee statement read: “Under the Scottish Government’s recently published “Strategic Framework – Protection Levels”, with effect from 17 May 2021, Stadia within a Level 2 area can admit up to 500 spectators to an outdoor event.

“In advance of the Premiership play-off final first leg on May 20 2021, the club would wish to outline arrangements that we have put in place in advance to facilitate physically distanced spectator

attendance at the Kilmac Stadium in the event that we reach the play-off final.

“For the limited number of tickets that will be available the club has conducted a ballot of current season ticket holders.

“And if we are successful on Saturday May 15 in reaching the final, the ticket office will contact those successful in the ballot on Sunday May 16 from 12 noon onwards to offer a free ticket for the Bobby Cox Stand for this game.

“These tickets will then need to be collected from the ticket office by 7pm on Wednesday May 19 2021.

“The club in no way underestimates the task before us in qualifying for the play-off final but it is

incumbent upon us to make the necessary thorough preparations for a Physically Distanced Capacity Event to ensure that we can operate safely and within Scottish Government guidelines.”

Meanwhile, Dundee fans hope to virtually “sell out” Dens Park for this weekend’s play-off second leg against Raith.

The 1893 Foundation are selling £2.50 virtual tickets, which also provide entry into a prize draw.

Prizes include a 2020-21 shirt, signed by the full squad, next season’s shirt, hospitality for two for a match next season, signed match-worn boots from player of the year Lee Ashcroft and a match ball from the Raith clash.

More than 1,000 tickets have already been sold.

Dundee fans may be set for a return to Dens Park.