Dundee v Motherwell: Visitors angered by SPFL’s Airdrie closed doors plan

The SPFL’s suggestion of playing Motherwell’s Scottish Premiership game against Dundee behind closed doors at Airdrie is “nuts”, says Fir Park chief executive Brian Caldwell.

The surface was deemed playable on Thursday and has been protected since by covers hired from Celtic.

But with the SPFL needing to finalise their post-split fixtures, they are eager that the game is played this weekend regardless.

Caldwell says moving the game to Sunday, or even Monday, has been mooted – neither of which appeal to Motherwell.

“We’re a spectator sport, we have to look after our own supporters, we have to make sure they’re at the game, so our position has been quite clear to the SPFL that this is not our fault,” he said.

“This is nothing to do with this club so why should we have the hassle of it all?

“Our position is that we play on Saturday at Dens or we reschedule the game, and if that means that the post-split fixtures are delayed, then so be it because playing behind closed doors is just ridiculous.

“I think if they go down that line and they try and force us into doing that we will just stand firm and not do it. And I think Scottish football will support us with that.”

Dundee said on Friday that the city had endured 17mm of rain overnight and that the planned Saturday morning pitch inspection would continue.

Dens Park has already had four matches postponed this season due to a waterlogged pitch.

Dundee are scheduled to host Rangers next Wednesday in a rescheduled fixture, with just two rounds of matches due before the split.