Rangers v Dundee: Chris Sutton issues Dens Park to Ibrox switch verdict to shocked BBC host
Chris Sutton doesn’t believe the under-threat fixture between Dundee and Rangers can be moved to Ibrox amid talk of changing the venue.
The pundit discussed was speaking live on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club on 8 April with the Light Blues due to head to Dens Park for the rearranged match on Wednesday night, which is again facing disruption due to the weather after the weekend visit of Motherwell only went ahead after late pitch inspections.
Host Mark Chapman was shocked at the possibility that the game could be moved to an alternative ground, with Sutton agreeing, although that is believed to be the worst-case scenario contingency plan.
Sutton said (45m): “They’re talking about the game possibly being moved. I don’t think they’ll move the game back to Ibrox, but there has been talk of that.
“There has been talk of possibly moving venue, because in Scotland of course they have the split which is next week when they get to that.”
A bemused Chapman said: “They can’t move the venue of that game. I mean how does…? They can’t surely?”
“Don’t shoot the messenger,” Sutton replied. “That’s what I think, that they can’t.”
Rangers trip to Dundee could take Gers top of SPFL above Celtic
Were it not for the fact that the split is imminent then the game would presumably just be postponed again to a later date.
But that is seemingly impossible, or at least extremely impractical, at this late stage so something has to be done if Dens Park is again unusable.
The argument against moving the venue will no doubt centre around the integrity of the game being a home fixture for Dundee, and anything that could be perceived to benefit Rangers will spark outrage at Celtic when this game is potentially the difference between who leads the SPFL.
But it could be argued that the integrity of the game is already being compromised, and to the Light Blues’ detriment, to have so much upheaval surrounding what has turned out to be a crucial match.
It seems highly unlikely that it would be moved to Ibrox because that would be seen has handing a huge advantage to Philippe Clement’s side.
But if it does go ahead on a boggy and sand-filled Dens Park and a key Rangers man gets injured, when they hardly need any assistance doing that already, it would hit the Belgian with a major disadvantage.
Stuart Kettlewell was also unhappy with having to play in his side’s 3-2 victory as he felt the sanded areas made the pitch unplayable [PLZ Soccer, 6 April], so it seems at this stage that any outcome will be a long way from perfect.
In other Rangers news, Neil Lennon was left stunned by an “unbelievable” Gers player did in the dramatic Old Firm draw.
For more Rangers news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.