FOOTBALL : The Clydesdale Bank Premier League match between Dundee United and Rangers at Tannadice was abandoned at half-time due to a waterlogged pitch.
The Clydesdale Bank Premier League match between Dundee United and Rangers at Tannadice was abandoned at half-time due to a waterlogged pitch.
Referee Mike Tumilty and his assistants assessed the state of the pitch during the interval. Rangers were leading 1-0 through Steven Davis but heavy rain throughout the first half gave Tumilty little choice but to call the game off.
Explaining his decision on Sky Sports, Tumilty said: “I was thinking about the players’ safety. Water was starting to lie on the pitch, the ball stopped rolling and the worry was having lots of players coming together, there could have been a serious injury.”
He added: “Towards the end of the half I started to become seriously concerned. Towards half-time it became almost impossible.
“Both managers were keen to get the game played but they both accepted the decision.
“It’s disappointing for the fans but if something had happened in the second half it wouldn’t have been fair to the supporters of either team.”
Rangers boss Walter Smith added: “It’s disappointing for us, being 1-0 up, but it was probably the right decision I think.
“I don’t think we can argue very much with it.”
