Dundee chief executive Scot Gardiner has described the uncertainty surrounding his club’s possible place in the SPL as ‘a bloody mess’.
The Tayside team are vying with Dunfermline to replace Rangers in Scottish football’s top flight.
Barry Smith’s side finished second in the First Division last season, finishing 24 points behind Ross County.
Top flight sides will choose who will take the Ibrox club’s spot on July 16 but SFL chief executive David Longmuir believes the vacancy could he filled before then.
Gardiner revealed his frustration over the process, telling STV: “It has been a bloody mess therefore it is hard to second guess what could have been done because these are unprecedented, uncharted waters.
“So I’m loathed to criticise although I wish it had all been sorted out quicker.
The Dens Park side confirmed they wouldn’t take part in a vote on whether a newco Rangers would be allowed into the SFL due to a perceived conflict of interest.
Gardiner added: “We’ve been told we can’t vote by our governing body and we have to abide by that. And so we are trying not to then impact [on the vote] because they’re then telling us we’re conflicted.
“We’re not going to do anything that will leave anyone the excuse where they can point the finger at Dundee Football Club and say ‘well they would say that wouldn’t they?’
“We’ve not been like that since day one and we’ve tried to act with some integrity and a thought for the game in general and not just for ourselves.
Dunfermline chairman John Yorkston believes everything is pointing to Dundee being chosen to play in the top flight but Gardiner says nobody is taking anything for granted.
He said: “We’ve definitely not been invited to join the SPL, we’re still an SFL club.
“And until we’re told anything different then we’re planning to open our campaign against Dumbarton and prior to that against Brechin in the Ramsdens Cup and we’re planning to win the First Division.”
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