McDiarmid plan confirmed if pitch fails again

The SPFL has confirmed Dundee’s delayed Premiership clash with Rangers will take place at McDiarmid Park tomorrow if Dens Park is ruled unplayable.

Courier Sport revealed on Sunday the match would be moved to St Johnstone’s ground if Dens fails today’s pitch inspection.

The fixture has been twice postponed due to a waterlogged surface at Dens Park.

Now the governing body has laid out plans to get the match played tomorrow.

SFA officials said: “The SPFL has appointed an experienced pitch consultancy, which is regularly used by Uefa and other sporting bodies, to report back to the league with guidance on the condition of the pitch in advance of Wednesday’s match.

“Dundee were also informed that they must provide the pitch consultants, SPFL and Rangers with daily updates on the playing surface and weather forecast, and immediately report any concerns regarding Wednesday’s match being played at Dens Park.

“It has further been agreed that the match official will carry out an inspection of the playing surface on the morning of Tuesday April 16, after which, taking weather forecasts into account, a final decision will be taken on whether to play the game at Dens Park.

“If the game cannot be played at Dens Park, the SPFL has confirmed that it will be moved to St Johnstone’s McDiarmid Park on Wednesday April 17, with Dundee making arrangements for fans of both teams to attend. If the game requires to be moved to McDiarmid Park, it will still be categorised as a Dundee FC ‘home game’.”

St Johnstone chief executive Stan Harris said in a statement: “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 April 17 fail a pitch inspection.”

The match will kick off at 8pm and be broadcast live on Sky Sports.