Wednesday night- Reason given for Doncaster’s fixture delay

The SPFL are reported to be delaying the announcement of the post-split fixtures in case Philippe Clement’s side lose by FIVE goals to Dundee on Wednesday.

Saturday’s draw away to Aberdeen coupled with the draw between Motherwell and Hibs confirmed Dundee’s place in the top six on the back of promotion from the Championship last month.

Convention requires the sixth placed team to flip their fixtures which would send Dundee on a third trip to Celtic Park while they host the 2012 Tribute Act for a third time regardless of where Wednesday’s game takes place.

Even after yesterday’s defeat at Ross County a 5-0 defeat to Dundee seems unlikely for Clement’s side but in mid-morning The Sun explained:

Tony Docherty’s side booked their place in the top end of the table at the weekend with a game still to play after Motherwell and Hibs failed to leapfrog the Dark Blues at Fir Park.

Fans of clubs in the top flight were hopeful an announcement on the post-split fixtures would be imminent due to that but last week’s second postponement at Dens Park is still causing issues with decision makers.

While the top six and bottom six places are confirmed, there’s one matter still to be decided which could affect league standings in the top half.

Dundee still have the unlikely chance to take St Mirren’s place in fifth if they beat Philippe Clement’s men – but it would require them to win by FIVE goals to overtake the Saints on goal difference.

The delay means that Season Ticket holders won’t know until 10pm on April 17th whether or not their team will be at home on the weekend of April 27/28.

Once again it highlights the folly of Neil Doncaster following orders from Ibrox by not scheduling the Dens Park fixture for April 3 because Clement wanted a free week to prepare for Celtic.

After 13 rounds of SPFL fixtures not involving the Ibrox club Willie Collum is expected to be excluded from the run-in unless a dead-rubber crops up for the final weekend.