Match ends, Dundee 0, Rangers 0.
Sports
Rangers angry with Dens Park postponement
Rangers are “extremely disappointed and angered” by the late postponement of their match at Dundee.
The surface was deemed unplayable for a noon start following a second pitch inspection at 10:15 GMT.
It is the fourth game to be called off at Dens Park this season following heavy rainfall.
Referee Don Robertson told BBC Scotland: “A number of areas on the pitch are unsafe for players, the ball wasn’t rolling in these areas”.
While Dundee chief executive John Nelms argued the hosts had “done all they could”, Rangers say they were unaware of any issues until the morning and are upset by the inconvenience to travelling fans.
A club statement read: “Rangers FC, on behalf of our supporters, are extremely disappointed and angered with the late call-off.”
The message added: “It is not understood why the home club did not raise concerns in a more timely manner, given the reoccurring issues they have had with their playing surface at earlier points in the season.
“The Rangers team and thousands of our supporters had already arrived at the stadium by the time a decision was reached.
“This is the only match in the entire UK senior leagues to be postponed this weekend, and given it was to be shown on Sky Sports nationwide, reflects poorly on our game.”
Ibrox manager Philippe Clement echoed that sentiment, telling BBC Scotland: “I think it’s a really bad advertisement for the league.
“Our kit man had to discover there was a problem because he arrived early. That’s already a strange situation.”
Rangers go into the international break one point behind Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic, with a game in hand.
Dundee, who have lost both previous meetings with Rangers this term, are seventh in the table.
Nelms told BBC Scotland: “We were supposed to get 6mm of rain overnight and we got 12. The groundsmen have been out here since 05:00 and we just ran out of time. If we had a three o’clock match, the pitch would probably be playable.”
Line-ups
Dundee
Formation 4-1-3-2
- 22McCracken
- 6McGhee
- 5ShaughnessySubstituted forPortalesat 10′minutes
- 12Lamie
- 3DodgsonBooked at 90mins
- 28Sylla
- 10Cameron
- 23Boateng
- 17McCowan
- 9BakayokoSubstituted forMainat 63′minutes
- 7TiffoneySubstituted forCostelloeat 63′minutes
Substitutes
- 4Astley
- 8Main
- 15Mulligan
- 19Robertson
- 25Donnelly
- 26Mellon
- 29Portales
- 31Carson
- 44Costelloe
Rangers
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Butland
- 2Tavernier
- 6Goldson
- 5Souttar
- 21Sterling
- 11Lawrence
- 4Lundstram
- 19SimaSubstituted forMcCauslandat 79′minutes
- 13CantwellSubstituted forDowellat 56′minutes
- 7Fábio SilvaSubstituted forMatondoat 56′minutes
- 25RoofeSubstituted forDessersat 56′minutes
Substitutes
- 9Dessers
- 17Matondo
- 20Dowell
- 26Davies
- 28McCrorie
- 31Barisic
- 38King
- 43Raskin
- 45McCausland
- Referee:
- Don Robertson
- Attendance:
- 9,010
Live Text
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Second Half ends, Dundee 0, Rangers 0.
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Attempt blocked. Lyall Cameron (Dundee) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Owen Dodgson.
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Attempt blocked. Dara Costelloe (Dundee) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Luke McCowan.
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Owen Dodgson (Dundee) is shown the yellow card.
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Dangerous play by Kieran Dowell (Rangers).
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Ricki Lamie (Dundee) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Rabbi Matondo (Rangers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Luke McCowan (Dundee).
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Attempt missed. Rabbi Matondo (Rangers) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Dujon Sterling.
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Connor Goldson (Rangers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Curtis Main (Dundee).
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Attempt missed. James Tavernier (Rangers) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses the top left corner from a direct free kick.
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Ross McCausland (Rangers) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Mohamad Sylla (Dundee).
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Attempt saved. James Tavernier (Rangers) header from the right side of the six yard box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Dujon Sterling with a cross.
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Attempt missed. Rabbi Matondo (Rangers) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Kieran Dowell.
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Corner, Rangers. Conceded by Jordan McGhee.
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Substitution, Rangers. Ross McCausland replaces Abdallah Sima.
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Attempt blocked. Lyall Cameron (Dundee) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.