With rain, snow and sleet falling almost continuously since, groundstaff were fighting a losing battle to try to get it ready for tomorrow’s tie.

An inspection was arranged for noon and it took the referee just a few minutes to give the waterlogged surface the thumbs down. Now Tuesday has been pencilled in for another go at getting the game played.

News of the postponement reached Dens Park just minutes after boss Alex Rae and his players had completed their final training session of the week — Dundee were preparing to play until told otherwise.

“It did not look good with their game going off on Wednesday and I know there has been no let up in the weather through there, but, until we were told it was off, we had to be ready to play,” he said.

“For myself, the players and, I’m sure, the fans, it would have been far better if it was on tomorrow, but now we’ll start getting ready for Tuesday.

Meanwhile, having secured Hibs striker Mickael Antoine-Curier on loan until the end of the season to add to his earlier signing of full-back David Cowan, Alex was happy with his transfer deadline-day business.

“As well as adding numbers to a small squad, these two bring in a bit of pedigree in terms of top-division experience and I was pleased to get them,” he added.

“Cowan can play in the cup when the game goes ahead, but Antoine-Curier was on the bench for Hibs in the last round, so he won’t be involved.”

Although he did not move on yesterday, full-back Paul Dixon remains a Kilmarnock target when he is out of contract in the summer.

And, while reports that Gavin Swankie almost switched to St Johnstone late last night were news to everyone at Dens, that move could also happen in the close season.