Rangers: Mark Chapman surprised by Pat Nevin comments on BBC as Dundee defence launched, ‘wow’
Mark Chapman was surprised by what Pat Nevin had to say regarding the latest Dundee versus Rangers fixture postponement.
For the second time in a month, the Gers’ trip to Dens Park was called off on the day of the game due to concerns over the playing surface.
Dundee have been condemned after the latest postponement on Wednesday (10 April), raising doubts over the third attempt to host the game.
While Nevin fully understands the frustration from Rangers, he tried to explain why Dundee have not made changes to their ground.
“Dundee are not doing this deliberately,” he said on BBC 5 Live’s Football Daily [10 April, 24m 45s].
“There were comments from the owners today talking about climate change, but when it comes right down to it, they’ve got a problem with the drains – it’s nothing more complex than that.
“I have a past history of this myself from being chief-executive at Motherwell, where we had a massive problem with the drains.
“There was a game we couldn’t get played and eventually a specialist told us we could fix them, but it was cheaper to build a new stadium – that’s how expensive these things are.”
At that point, Match of the Day 2 presenter Chapman interjected: “Wow”.
Nevin added: “Dundee have put in plans for a new stadium, so it would be a colossal cost for them to rectify it before then. So I can understand Rangers’ fury, but for Dundee, they’re in a difficult position.”
When will Dundee v Rangers match be played?
What Nevin says is fair enough. And in fairness, nobody expects Dundee to spend beyond their means to rectify the issue if they are planning to move homes in the near future.
However, if they are not going to rectify the issue – and it is a big issue – then they surely must lose certain privileges, one of those being playing in front of their fans.
After the first game was called off at late notice, and with the threat of strong rain in the days leading up to the game, the SPFL should have stepped in there and then.
Dundee could have had a choice as to where the game was held, whether across the road at Tannadice, at Ibrox with a limited capacity or anywhere else for that matter.
Ultimately, the game had to go ahead on Wednesday (10 April). It is not fair on the Gers in any way that they have been messed around for a second time.
As Philippe Clement said a day before the game, if it is called off at late notice again – which it was – the Gers have lost a day’s training or recovery.
With the game now pencilled in for next week, it makes total sense to find a neutral venue in advance to avoid more of the same.
In other Rangers news, Dermot Gallagher has had his say on the numerous contentious decisions against Celtic.
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