Dundee fail in postponement request against Aberdeen over Covid issues

Dundee say they have 14 players, including three goalkeepers, available

Dundee being made to play their Scottish Premiership game at Aberdeen is "embarrassing for Scottish football", says manager James McPake.

Assistant boss Dave Mackay, 40, was one of four subs, alongside two goalkeepers and 17-year-old Callum Lamb after six players were ruled out on Sunday after a positive Covid case.

Speaking before his side's 2-1 defeat - in which Dundee took the lead - McPake said he was "astonished" and called for common sense to be applied.

"The way it's been handled is atrocious," he told Sportsound. "We've got five free midweeks, so have Aberdeen."

Rules state clubs with 13 players, including at least one goalkeeper, over the age 18 must fulfil the fixture and Dundee named a matchday squad of 15 at Pittodrie.

Striker Alex Jakubiak started - against medical advice, McPake said - after just a brief substitute appearance following 12 weeks out. Defender Jordan Marshall was also put "at risk", according to his manager having trained for one day.

"We've put Aberdeen at risk all for the sake of getting a game of football played," McPake added. "It's not sporting integrity. It can't just be black and white. There's got to be a consideration here for people's health.

"I've got a player in there who, at four o'clock on Thursday morning, his partner gave birth to their second child. He's to go home to that child tonight."

Earlier this week, St Mirren's request to have their games against Celtic on Wednesday and Rangers on Sunday called off after a Covid outbreak was rejected.

Pre-match, Aberdeen manager Stephen Glass pointed out that it's "almost a first-choice Dundee team" his side would be facing.

BBC Scotland have contacted the SPFL for a response to McPake's comments.