Dundee United boss Peter Houston has bemoaned yet another call-off for his team, warning they could end up playing four times a week to clear the backlog.
The Tangerines’ squad had travelled as far as Aviemore for their pre-match meal before learning at around 5pm on Wednesday that their proposed game against Inverness Caley Thistle had been postponed because of a waterlogged park.
Having witnessed the inspection, it was the correct decision by referee Steven McLean, the same referee who ruled out United’s Boxing Day clash with Hearts, because the ball was not bouncing on a large area opposite the main stand.
But the fact the official was right to say no was no consolation to Houston, who was kept up to date by ICT assistant boss Maurice Malpas, as he ponders a backlog.
United, who are four games behind fifth-placed Caley already, could face the prospect of having to catch up by playing twice in midweek, especially if Saturday’s Scottish Cup tie with Hamilton goes to a replay
“Maurice phoned me at about 1pm to tell us the game was in doubt because of the amount of rain they had had and that an inspection had been called for half-past four,” said Houston.
“I appreciate him giving us the heads-up but we still had to travel to our pre-match meal just in case the game did go ahead.”
He added, “It has been an unbelievable few months and I have never known anything like it.
“We are watching other teams play their games in hand like St Johnstone the other night when I was at their game but we just can’t seem to get ours played.
“The big concern now is, when is this game going to be played?”‘Nobody’s fault’Houston said, “We have a cup-tie against Hamilton on Saturday and if that goes to a replay our rearranged game with Rangers will get moved again.
“A few years ago Rangers had to play four times in a week to get their season finished and I am a bit concerned that is what is going to happen to us.”
He added, “We have a lengthy injury list and have been asking the same players to do it time and again so I hope it doesn’t all add up on us.
“But, as I said, it’s nobody’s fault and we have just been very unlucky, but we will get on with it.”
Match official McLean rightly said he had no choice, despite a long time spent testing the sodden park.
He said, “It was a very difficult decision but the pitch was fully saturated and the ball wasn’t bouncing
“Also, extremely heavy rain was forecast for during the game and I was confident the pitch would not withstand that.”
He added, “Representatives from both Inverness Caley Thistle and Dundee United were present and were satisfied with the decision.”
Inverness boss Terry Butcher said, “With rain forecast then the possibility of snow then it would have been even worse for the game to start and not finish.
“For reason of the quality of football, safety of players and the possibility of worse weather to come then a difficult decision had to be made.”
United chairman Stephen Thompson’s main concern was for any United fan who had already set off for the Highlands before the postponement was confirmed.
He said, “I would be concerned about a lack of consideration for fans with the timing of this but the decision had to be made.”