Dundee v Rangers: Tony Docherty assured game goes ahead on Wednesday

Dundee boss Tony Docherty has been told Wednesday’s league meeting with Rangers will go ahead amid concerns over the state of the Dens Park pitch.

Sections of the grass were heavily sanded before kick-off.

“I’ve just had an assurance the game will be on,” said Docherty. “That’s all I need to know.”

Rangers’ scheduled visit on 17 March was the fourth match postponed at Dens Park this season because of waterlogging.

With the Premiership due to split after this weekend’s fixtures, there is an urgency to have all teams having played 33 games by then.

“It’s not an area I’m comfortable talking about,” added Docherty when quizzed about the pitch and the threat of further rain. “My job is to prepare the team and that’s what I’m doing.”

Dundee, who visit Aberdeen on Saturday, are pressing for a place in the top half of the division and know one win from their next two outings will guarantee that.

The Dark Blues have beaten Rangers just twice in their past 33 meetings in all competitions, both in 2017, while they have not enjoyed a victory at Pittodrie since 2004.

Dundee are currently one point ahead of Hibernian and three better off than Motherwell, but the chasing duo, who meet at Fir Park on Saturday, each have superior goal difference tallies.

“Sometimes in life you don’t get a second opportunity,” said Docherty, reflecting on relinquishing a 2-0 lead at the weekend.

“We’ve got a second opportunity over the two games in the next week and we know what the objective is. We are very focused and driven.”

Rangers will take over at the top of the table if they leave Dens Park with maximum points, with manager of the month for March Docherty saying: “We know the enormity of the task.

“Both teams are going in with different motivations, but who’s to say which motivation is stronger?”