Why was Dundee v Rangers not played on Wednesday April 3?

It is one of the few unanswered questions surrounding the latest postponement of Dundee against Rangers at Dens Park.

After the initial fixture on Sunday, March 17 was called off, why was the rearranged fixture not pencilled in for last Wednesday, April 3?

Due to an international break, this was the first available midweek date in the Premiership calendar.

But three days after the postponement, the SPFL confirmed the match would instead take place a week later on Wednesday, April 10.

The unanswered question has been raised on social media in the last few weeks by Dundee supporters watching their club under attack from all quarters of the Scottish game.

And it has taken on a life of its own as the title race between Celtic and Rangers intensifies, with fans of the Parkhead club pointing out an April 3 clash between Dundee and the Ibrox side would have given their rivals an away trip just days before Sunday’s Old Firm encounter.

They have not been slow in shining a light on the fact that rescheduling the match a week later suited Gers manager Philippe Clement and his squad.

Was April 3 a viable date?

It’s understood a key SPFL leadership figure recommended the postponed fixture be played at the first available midweek date, April 3, in keeping with this individual’s default approach to such situations.

They were also mindful of the upcoming Premiership split.

However, at the request of one of the two clubs involved, the issue was escalated to SPFL board level where it was then decided the game would take place on Wednesday, April 10.

Hampden sources insist it was the preference of both teams to play the game this week.

The 2023/24 SPFL board is: chief executive Neil Doncaster, chairman Murdoch MacLennan, independent non-executive director Karyn McCluskey, Malcolm McPherson (Hibernian), James Bisgrove (Rangers), James MacDonald (Ross County), Paul Hetherington (Airdrie), Graeme Mathie (Ayr United) and Peter Davidson (Montrose).

Meanwhile, the timeline of events throws up one other key question – would the Dens Park pitch have been playable last Wednesday?

Insiders say this would not have been a given, although the surface did pass an inspection 24 hours later ahead of the weekend clash with Motherwell, with doubts hanging over the game until it kicked off at 3pm on Saturday.

Speaking to the media on Thursday, Rangers manager Clement claimed: “I don’t think the [last midweek] option was there because Dundee needed also time to fix their field to be playable.

“It was on the edge against Motherwell.”

What do SPFL rules say about rearranging postponed fixtures?

According to section H11 of the SPFL rules, clubs must ensure their playing surface is “smooth and in good condition”.

The stadium must also be “equipped with an efficient and effective drainage system so that it cannot become unplayable due to flooding”.

The drainage at Dens has not coped with the level of rainfall Scotland has seen this year, with managing director John Nelms saying: “We have three areas that struggle.

“Keeping the water off those areas as long as we can is key.”

According to H12, the SPFL may “take such steps within such time and on such conditions as the board shall specify” if it is not satisfied the above conditions have been met.

Sky Sports pundits speak out

Dundee FC – facing SPFL disciplinary procedures over the five Dens games called off due to a waterlogged pitch – have kept tight-lipped on the discussions behind the dates.

They also do not want to be drawn into a spat with Rangers, who accused the Dark Blues of “negligence and unprofessionalism” on Wednesday.

Sky Sports pundits Kris Boyd and Chris Sutton have had their say on the row, with Boyd slamming Nelms and club secretary Eric Drysdale.

With the game now planned for next Wednesday, April 17, Sutton wrote on X: “What if it rains in Dundee next week? My sources tell me that if it can’t be played at Dens it will be moved to Ibrox…”

An SPFL spokesperson said: “We have been in extensive discussions with both clubs about arrangements if, for whatever reason, the match cannot be played at Dens Park on Wednesday.

“These include the possibility of the match moving to an alternative venue.

“We will confirm these arrangements as soon as possible, and well in advance of Wednesday’s match.”

Motherwell were fined £50,000 in 2010, with a further £45,000 suspended, after facing similar issues.

However, the Fir Park club’s punishment came during the SPL era, with leniency shown because ‘Well had already taken steps to address the problem.

An SPFL spokesperson said:“We have been in extensive discussions with both clubs about arrangements if, for whatever reason, the match cannot be played at Dens Park on Wednesday.

“These include the possibility of the match moving to an alternative venue.

“We will confirm these arrangements as soon as possible, and well in advance of Wednesday’s match.”