Dundee reveal pitch improvement plan as Rangers fiasco sparks 'considerable investment' in Dens Park surface

Plans are in place for Dundee to fix their problematic pitch over the summer.

The Dark Blues have seen FIVE Premiership fixtures postponed this season, which led to an SPFL fine of £186,000, £120,000 of which is suspended until the end of next season. Just over £36,000 of that was to reimburse Sky Sports after a crunch clash with Rangers was twice postponed, and to cover the cost of UEFA pitch specialists, who were consulted over the soggy surface.

Now the Courier reports that the Dens Park club will undergo extensive work over the summer to fix the problem once and for all. Dundee are set to plough a six figure sum into pitch works, that will be more than the entirety of the SPFL penalty they were hit with. They are set to get to work immediately after the Premiership season comes to an end against Kilmarnock on Sunday May 18.

The hope among club chiefs was that Tony Docherty's side would be away from home on the final day in order to get going sooner. While the work is set to take some time, the Dee are confident that it won't affect the start of the 2024/25 campaign, although hosting Premier Sports Cup group stage matches may prove tricky.

However, the Dark Blues still hold out hope of securing European football next season. They are battling St Mirren for fifth place, which would be enough for a spot in the Europa Conference League qualifiers next term. If they achieve that, then the Premier Sports Cup issue disappears.

Euro qualification would also see the club given more time to get the pitch up to spec. The second qualifying round takes place on 25 July and an away draw would afford an extra week's grace for the pitch improvements.

As for what is actually involved, specialists will dig down beyond the current