Dundee boss Paul Hartley has expressed his disappointment that yesterday’s game against Celtic had to be postponed while admitting the call-off decision was definitely the correct one.
After a night of torrential rain, the Dark Blues decided to hold a pitch inspection at 1.15pm.
A local referee quickly came to the decision that the game could not go ahead as there was an area in front of the main stand that was simply unplayable.
Hartley said: “It is disappointing as we had prepared well for the game but we have to go with the referee’s decision.
“I think it is the right call, to be honest with you. The majority of the pitch is really good but there is just that one area where the ball isn’t even bouncing.
“That is the disappointing thing but there isn’t a lot we can do about it.
“You also have to look to the fans. We have a responsibility to supporters in terms of travelling too early. We don’t know how the weather will be.
“The weather hasn’t been great over the last wee while but our groundsman has done brilliantly with our pitch which has been fantastic for the majority of the season.
“But there is that one area which is unplayable.”
At the start of the week, Hartley had injury and illness concerns over a host of players however he revealed that he had a full complement to choose from if the game against the Hoops had gone ahead.
Now, though, all his focus has turned to Saturday’s eagerly-awaited derby with United.
The manager said: “We had everybody back training yesterday.
“So we are really disappointed the game is not going ahead but there is not a lot we can do.
“We have to focus on the game on Saturday now.
“We have the derby to look forward to and we will go and watch Dundee United against Hearts tonight.”
A club spokesman revealed in greater detail exactly why the game had been called off saying: “A local referee inspected the pitch but had concerns over a 20-metre-square patch in front of the main stand.
“It is like a swamp and the water is just not getting away.
“The ball wouldn’t bounce or run and the referee has called the game off.
“The reason we had such an early inspection was to give due respect to the Celtic travelling support.”