Dundee Utd v Rangers: ‘Pitch inspection’ on the cards amid postponement update
Dundee United will be making plans in case their game against Rangers gets called off on Sunday, according to Keith Hackett.
Storm Eoywn has been battering Scotland throughout Friday with red warnings in place across the Central Belt due to high winds.
The Met Office has now issued a yellow warning for snow and ice for most of Scotland on Saturday with an amber warning for wind enforced across parts of Angus ahead of Rangers’ trip to Tannadice Park on Sunday.
While there are no warnings currently in place for most of Scotland – including Dundee – on Sunday, there’s a chance that the weather on Friday and Saturday could leave a lasting effect on the local area and the Tannadice pitch.
Former Premier League and FIFA-listed referee Hackett has spoken at length with Ibrox News about the procedures that Dundee United and match referee Nick Walsh will undertake ahead of kick-off to ensure the safety of everyone attending.
“Dundee United and the referee will already have been in contact to clearly determine the time of his arrival and a potential early inspection,” Hackett told Ibrox News. “I would think that the referee will be in Dundee on Friday afternoon.”
Dundee United pitch inspection on the cards v Rangers
“The club secretary and the police will have had a pre-planning meeting. They will be aware of the weather forecasts et cetera. They will take into consideration transport by road and rail. They will be aware of the travel arrangements and hotel venue for Rangers Football Club. They will also have knowledge of the departure times of Rangers fans.
“They will, if they decide not to call off today (Friday), have the referee at the stadium early on Saturday morning to determine if a go-ahead decision can be made.
“If it snows an inspection of the pathways and entry areas will take place. The local authority will take action to salt and grit any difficult areas. The pitch will be inspected to ensure that it is safe for the game to go ahead.
“Within this planning element, the catering and hospitality arrangements will be on standby to see if the game is going ahead. There are a lot of part-time workers employed in these areas so early notification avoids unnecessary travel.
“If the referee says the game is cancelled then you see the club cecretary and their team contacting all media outlets to ensure any unnecessary travel takes place.
“Every game is an event- the referee at the elite level must be able to cope with these demands. Let’s hope despite the red alert warnings that games will take place across Scotland over the weekend.”
In other Rangers news, Todd Cantwell has reacted to what James Tavernier said about the defeat to Manchester United.
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