The Scottish Premier League announced this week that two matches in Dundee are to be re-scheduled to avoid clashes between Dundee and Dundee United home fixtures. 

The Clydesdale Bank Premier League fixtures re-scheduled are Dundee United v Ross County, which will now be played at 7.45pm on Friday 14 September 2012; and Dundee v Inverness Caledonian Thistle, which will now be played at 7.45pm on Friday 19 October 2012.

SPL Chief Executive Neil Doncaster said: “Every football fan knows we have had a challenging closed season. One outcome from that is a number of clashes in the city of Dundee when Dundee are scheduled to be at home on the same date as Dundee United.

“I would like to thank both clubs and Tayside Police for working constructively with SPL Secretary Iain Blair to find a solution to this. We will meet with the clubs and Tayside Police following these matches to review them and to consider the way ahead for other clashes later in the Season. The opportunity to pilot Friday evening Clydesdale Bank Premier League football in Dundee is very welcome. So far, there has proved to be a good appetite for Friday night football. I believe that the extension of this pilot to Dundee will also be a success – in the stadia and around the city.”

Scot Gardiner, Chief Executive of Dundee FC, said: “Having found ourselves in the uniquely challenging position we are in, we are delighted to have been able to work out a positive solution for both Dundee Clubs that will afford our fans and sponsors the chance to enjoy Friday football. We are grateful to Tayside Police for their support in facilitating this opportunity. We hope they will support their first chance to come along to Dens with friends and family on a Friday evening.”

Superintendent Brian Weir of Tayside Police said: “We are happy to work with both clubs and the Scottish Premier League to provide a safe environment for fixtures to take place. We have agreed that we will monitor the impact of the Friday games on our local communities and consider extending the idea after these two games if the feedback is positive.”