Philippe Clement insists Rangers are prepared to play their twice-postponed game against Dundee behind closed doors – and even on Mars – after a proposal to fulfil the fixture on Thursday was rejected.
The Govan club accused Dundee of “negligence and unprofessionalism” after their cinch Premiership match at Dens Park was called off again on Wednesday night.
The game has been rescheduled for next Wednesday night after referee Don Robertson deemed the waterlogged pitch unplayable following a second inspection of the day at 3.30pm.
Rangers has written to the SPFL outlining its position following today’s further postponement of the Dundee Scottish Premiership fixture.
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) April 10, 2024
It is the second time the game has been postponed – the first came last month, 90 minutes before the scheduled kick-off – but the Gers boss revealed there will be a decision made at 12pm next Tuesday and his side will be ready to play without any supporters at an alternative venue.
“I was ready for everything and we were ready to play,” said Clement, who revealed midfielder Mohamed Diomande will miss the game at Ross County on Sunday after having an operation on his thumb having sustained the injury against Celtic last weekend.
“It is a long-time problem and a second time for us that it has been postponed,” Clement added.
“It could have been avoided by playing at another venue somewhere else because everyone knew what the situation was.
“That could have been avoided last week by taking a decision earlier or we play at another venue.
“We were even prepared to play today, so soon before the Ross County game.
“We offered that option but it was not accepted apparently, so it will be next week. It was not possible to play today at another venue.
“I don’t think the option was there (to play before Celtic game). Dundee needed time to fix their pitch to play Motherwell.
MATCH POSTPONED!
Following this afternoon’s second scheduled pitch inspection the match referee has deemed the pitch at The Scot Foam Stadium unplayable after heavy rain this afternoon and tonight’s match has been postponed.
This match will now be played next Wednesday, 17th… pic.twitter.com/tpP6xDZNCS
— Dundee Football Club (@DundeeFC) April 10, 2024
“The last thing I heard was that we will know on Tuesday at 12 o’clock at the latest where we will play on Wednesday.
“If not Dundee it will need to be somewhere else, but we must know before we travel on Tuesday.
“It is a disadvantage (behind closed doors) but it is what it is, we have to adapt, like when it was Covid and we didn’t like that.
“But our mindset is whatever decisions are made, we go to win games. So no excuses around that.
“If that is the decision, we will play behind closed doors. If they ask us to play on Mars, we go to Mars, we take a flight to win the three points. That is the mindset of me and all my players.”
The SPFL confirmed that an alternative venue is being considered in the event of the pitch not passing an inspection with any new plans to be announced “well in advance of Wednesday’s match”.
A spokesperson for the SPFL said: “We confirmed yesterday that the Dundee v Rangers game is rescheduled for 8pm on Wednesday April 17 at Dens Park, live on Sky Sports.
“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.”
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