Dundee FC administrator Bryan Jackson has assured fans that a snag in a share option transfer will merely delay the club’s exit from administration.
The Dark Blues had hoped to clear that hurdle on Thursday but now it could be another three weeks before it happens.
Jackson, who will be at Saturday’s final home game of the season against Partick Thistle to cheer on the team he has played a pivotal role in saving, is still confident that he will be passing on control of the club to a new board by the end of the Scottish season.
The hold-up relates to the switch of a share option from Dens Park owner John Bennett to the Dundee Football Club Supporters’ Society.
Jackson has been trying to push things along but admits it could be as much as another three weeks before the move out of administration is finally completed.
“We won’t be coming out of administration on the 29th,” said Jackson.
“As it turns out, we were a bit optimistic with that.”
He added, “With the team now safe from relegation it would have given everyone another huge boost.
“But there has been a delay with the lawyers relating to the shares.
“There is not a problem, it is just actually getting the documents completed.”‘Straightforward’Jackson said, “We have been trying to hurry them along and are still on course for the end of the season.
“The good thing is, Dundee FC is on the way out of administration and in two or three weeks things will be completed.”
Dundee chief executive Harry MacLean said, “Exiting administration hasn’t come quite as soon as any of us hoped it would but it is not the end of the world because we have still been able to plan ahead and it’s business as usual.
“We met as a new board on Monday and Tuesday as we have been doing for a couple of months now and we became aware that there were some last-minute technicalities and paperwork that hadn’t been completed.
“That is as straightforward as it is and it’s not something that is going to drag on forever.”
Meanwhile, administrator Jackson hopes to join in the applause for manager Barry Smith and his players at Dens, with the administrator so impressed by the manner in which they have overcome the 25-point penalty imposed on them by the SFL.
“Barry and the players have been magnificent this season and deserve all the praise they have been getting,” said Jackson.
“I am sure the fans will turn out in numbers to show their appreciation for their efforts on the park.
“There will be a good atmosphere at Dens this weekend and, while we can never forget the people who lost jobs and lost money through all of this, I think the players and supporters deserve to enjoy a party atmosphere.”
The Dark Blues will be without Leighton McIntosh for the Thistle game. The young striker has a tear in his hamstring and has been ruled out.