Dundee v Rangers new game date: The limited options available, Celtic clash issue,

Emmanuel Oryiman | March 18, 2024 | Rangers fc | No Comments

Finding a time slot for the rescheduled Premiership match is the next task after Sunday’s contentious postponement of Dundee versus Rangers. The postponement of Sunday’s game has generated a lot of controversy and debate, but there is still one outstanding question to be answered: when will the match be rescheduled?

Less than two hours before kickoff, match referee Don Robertson declared Dens Park unsuitable. Rangers were upset that the game was called off so close to the 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 is trickier than your average rescheduling. The match cannot be played this month, as we are now in an international break. Rangers are next in action at home to Hibs on Saturday, March 30, while on the same day Dundee travel to St Johnstone. There is therefore only a two-week midweek window in which the game can be played before the league splits after game-week 33 on April 14.

There is no doubt that one of the remaining fixtures – Rangers v Celtic on Sunday, April 7 – is going to prove troublesome for schedulers. Rangers are likely to want a full free week to prepare for what will be one of the defining matches in a tight title race, especially as Celtic are inactive. The SPFL could put forward Tuesday, April 2 or Wednesday, April 3 as a date given they are clear for both the Ibrox outfit and Dundee. Furthermore, Sky Sports would be able to broadcast the match live, as those dates do not clash with any UEFA Champions League, Europa League or Conference League fixtures.

With Rangers now out of Europe, the following midweek is also an option. The final pre-split fixtures see Dundee travel to Aberdeen on Saturday, April 13, while Rangers are in Dingwall to face Ross County 24 hours later. With the Gers in action on April 7, this means the only date available in that range is Wednesday, April 10. However, with Champions League quarter-finals on TV that night, Sky Sports would likely prefer another date slot.

Given the congested calendar and the upcoming Old Firm match, it is no surprise that Rangers manager Philippe Clement wanted the game played. However, there is much to play for in Dundee, too. Tony Docherty’s men are chasing a top-six place, currently seventh, two points behind Hibs. Their schedule has been affected by postponements and rearranged matches this season, with the Dens Park surface proving troublesome. That final point will be in the minds of league chiefs when trying to find a date. No matter the time of year, this particular patch of grass in Tayside is far from reliable.

League chiefs and representatives from both clubs will be locked in discussions as they attempt to find the best date to reschedule a pivotal match in the Premiership title and top-six race. Celtic and Hibs will watch on with a beady eye as well. Only in Scottish football would such a scenario stir up so much interest.

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