Rangers ‘disappointed and angered’ by Dens Park postponement

Rangers are “extremely disappointed and angered” by the late postponement of their match at Dundee.

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.”