Dundee supervisor Tony Docherty stored his “laser focus” on Saturday’s journey to Pittodrie as he dodged questions concerning the Dens Park pitch and the controversy over the second postponement of their recreation with Rangers.
Docherty’s aspect will clinch a cinch Premiership top-six place in the event that they beat Aberdeen and a draw would suffice if Motherwell get a consequence towards Hibernian at Fir Park.
Defeat for Dundee would delay affirmation of the make-up of the highest and backside six till the sport with Rangers lastly goes forward.
The match is now scheduled for Wednesday, however options are being mentioned between the golf equipment and the Scottish Skilled Soccer League.
When requested what state the pitch was in following the most recent call-off on Wednesday attributable to a waterlogged floor, Docherty mentioned in a media convention: “I actually don’t know. I’ve not been anyplace close to the pitch. We’re within the Gardyne coaching facility and that’s the place I’ve been for the final two days making ready for the Aberdeen recreation on Saturday.”
Rangers accused Dundee of “negligence” after the postponement and Hibernian are reported to have complained to the SPFL given Docherty’s aspect might go into their ultimate pre-split recreation understanding what they should obtain.
The Dundee supervisor refused to become involved within the furore.
“In my capability as soccer supervisor, all I can have an effect on is my position as soccer supervisor and it’s incumbent upon me to verify I put together a group for the matches which are upcoming,” he mentioned.
“So something outwith that, I can’t have an effect on different groups, I can’t touch upon different groups, I wouldn’t touch upon different groups.”
MATCH POSTPONED!
Following this afternoon’s second scheduled pitch inspection the match referee has deemed the pitch at The Scot Foam Stadium unplayable after heavy rain this afternoon and tonight’s match has been postponed.
This match will now be performed subsequent Wednesday, seventeenth… pic.twitter.com/tpP6xDZNCS
— Dundee Soccer Membership (@DundeeFC) April 10, 2024
When requested concerning the prospect of going through Rangers at a impartial venue subsequent Wednesday, Docherty mentioned: “There may be nothing I can do about that, I can’t have an effect on that. I can have an effect on the Aberdeen recreation and that’s the place my laser focus is. Nothing can distract us from that.”
Dundee’s earlier recreation towards Motherwell was the topic of comparable uncertainty and talks over different venues and dates earlier than it went forward following a late inspection final Saturday, the guests profitable 3-2 after Dundee went 2-0 up.
Docherty mentioned: “After all it may be unsettling since you put together for each recreation. We now have had 5 call-offs. You put together for each recreation by way of recreation plan, collection of gamers. However gamers shortly transfer on and I shortly transfer on. That’s gone now, that’s up to now.
“It’s incumbent upon me as supervisor to verify there’s a laser focus now in direction of the Aberdeen recreation and that’s what me, my gamers and my workers have gotten. The following recreation is an important recreation and one thing that we’re very centered on.
“It’s enormous testomony to this group of gamers, because the newly-promoted group and the youngest squad within the league… Seventeen of the squad have made their Premiership debut this season, of that 11 are underneath 21. It’s enormous testomony to the group that we’re a win away from that (prime six) and it’s benefit us as a result of it’s in our palms.
“I want to provide them nice reward for that and I wish to see them dash throughout that end line.”
