Mccann slams fixture change as Dundee face three tough games in six days

Dundee manager Neil Mccann has criticised the rescheduling of their postponed trip to Celtic Park after his team were handed the task of facing three of Scotland’s biggest clubs in six days.

Mccann wanted the game played either this week or next, when both teams are free, but the Scottish Professional Football League has organised the fixture for Wednesday 4 April.

“I think the rearranged fixture with Celtic is really poor, the timing of it,” said Mccann, pictured, whose team can leapfrog St Johnstone when they meet today.

“We had a week this week where we could have played it, but Celtic didn’t want it because they have the Old Firm game coming up and wanted a clear run at it.

“Next week could have been pencilled in quite easily had it not been a cup replay, because it was Morton’s replay time. So why not then?

“Instead they saw fit to rearrange the game so that we play Hearts on the Sunday – because it’s televised – we go to Celtic Park on the Wednesday and then Ibrox on Saturday. “In six days we have those three teams. I think it’s poor from the powers that be.”

St Johnstone striker Steven Maclean has issued a rallying cry to his team-mates after admitting the club are in a relegation fight.

Saints could finish the weekend as low as ninth in the Premiership following a run of form that has seen them win just once since Christmas.

“We’ve been in a relegation battle for four weeks,” said the experienced frontman. “We have to be aware of it because people are playing for their careers and their jobs, if you get dragged in there it won’t be nice.

“There is no getting away from it, we are in a dogfight and we need to come out fighting.”