Philippe Clement believes Dundee have a “free ride” against Rangers at Dens Park.
Twice this fixture has been called off due to the dodgy surface at the stadium but this time around – barring any late catastrophe – the game will go ahead this evening.
The SPFL’s handling of the pitch situation has been met with plenty of criticism from within Rangers and Philippe Clement appeared to aim a loaded comment at the SPFL’s directorate.
The Rangers boss believes that the fact this game is to be played after the Scottish Premiership split changes the dynamic of the fixture with Dundee.
Dundee have “free ride” v Rangers
With Tony Docherty’s side now guaranteed a top six finish no matter the result this evening, it’s got the Rangers manager talking.
Philippe Clement has been very outspoken about the handling of the situation and that continued into the pre-match press conference as he questioned the sporting integrity of the call.
“That they have a free ride tomorrow, that they will feel it like that also,” said Clement. “Nothing to lose, they will go full to win this game.
“It’s a different situation than if we would’ve played one week ago when the pressure was on. So it’s a different situation but that’s Dundee’s situation, my situation is that I’m focused on my team, what they need to do.
“So in that way the face of Dundee and how they approach the game will be different.”
Philippe Clement relieved game is going ahead
With Rangers and Philippe Clement furious over how the Dundee situation has been handled, the Ibrox manager is clear that it cannot derail his players.
Rangers have surrendered the Scottish Premiership advantage with defeat to Ross County and will now need a near perfect end to the season to be crowned champions.
Asked about the game and the circus around it, the Rangers manager is just happy a game is being played.
“The people who decided that are sure that there will be a game tomorrow, so that’s a very positive thing,” said Clement.
“I am not the guy from the half-full glass or the empty glass so I think everybody knows and everybody knew also about taking this decision.
“How it’s not processed, how it was prepared, that the people who decided to play tomorrow at Dens Park it’s 200% sure we’re going to play there.
“So they know the weather forecast probably and they’re certain that the pitch will cope with that so it’s good.
“It’s good for us also to know where we will play, how we can prepare that and it’s now go ahead for this game.
“I think everybody, people from Dundee, people from Rangers, are happy that finally we can play this game.”
Asked about the distraction, Clement said: “We can only focus on ourselves and on our football. We had some work to do with that also after the weekend.
“Of course we were not happy, how we played, how we conceded goals, how we missed also a few really good chances and because of that we lost points, so all the focus has been on that.”
Rangers can cut the gap at the top of the Scottish Premiership to one point with victory over Ross County as the Scottish top flight prepares for its end of season split.
