Referee Don Robertson has explained his reasons for calling off tonight's Premiership match between Dundee and Rangers.

The man in the middle branded the pitch "unsafe" after three key areas of concern deteriorated over the course of this afternoon.

Robertson had passed the pitch at 11am, but aware that heavy rain was forecast, decided to announce a further look at 3.30pm.

And when the rain fell, the change in the environment meant a decision had to be made.

He told Sky Sports: "I did an initial inspection at 11. The pitch was playable at that point but obviously everyone is quite aware of the issues Dundee have with their pitch. It's not in great condition but it was playable at 11. Everyone was aware of the forecast for heavy rain in the area this afternoon. That is why we agreed on an inspection at 3.30. To see how the pitch looked.

"Once I arrived I conducted that inspection and the pitch has deteriorated quite a lot in that time. There was an area of concern just in front of the bottom penalty area. It was wet this morning but playable. They've put the covers on but since the first inspection it has been quite heavy rain and that area of the pitch has become waterlogged and in that case it is unsafe for the players to play in. So unfortunately the match is postponed."

Asked if the pitch could have passed a further inspection he added: "Those decisions are not for me to make. They are for the clubs and the league to decide on when they want inspections. My role is to conduct the pitch inspection when I am asked by the league and make a determination on the suitability of the pitch in terms of the safety of the players at that time.

"Everyone is aware that the forecast is for rain in Dundee so the condition of the pitch at 11am compared to 3.30pm when I have done the second inspection it has deteriorated and it has been raining. It would be logical to assume that with more rain it would deteriorate further. It is not playable at the moment and that's the decision we have made."

The match will now go ahead at the third attempt, weather permitting a week today on April 17.