[Johnny5]

Rangers response

Gers Fury At SPL

RANGERS have reacted angrily to the SPL for failing to help them in their quest for UEFA Cup glory AND denying them a level playing field in their pursuit of the Championship.

The governing body today released two fixture models dependent on whether Rangers reach the UEFA Cup final or not.

However, scenario one forces them to play three games in six days ahead of the Final and scenario two means four crucial SPL matches in eight days.

The last time a Scottish team reached the UEFA Cup Final in 2003, a fixture was moved to give them a full week to prepare.

However, the SPL are doing nothing to assist Rangers this time.

Martin BainRangers will also have the ludicrous situation of returning from Aberdeen on May 23 having to play the Scottish Cup Final the next day.

What angers Rangers further is that the SPL have chosen not to extend the season if they don't qualify for the UEFA Cup Final, forcing an unbelievable end to the campaign.

Instead of using May 14 and 21 as dates for the outstanding fixtures with St Mirren and Motherwell, they are demanding that Rangers play four games in eight days to complete the season on May 18.

Chief executive Martin Bain told rangers.co.uk: "We as a club are really bitterly disappointed in the SPL on all fronts.

"It is hardly the best preparation in the lead-up to the UEFA Cup Final - if we get there - to play Sunday, Wednesday, Saturday in advance of that.

"So I don't see what the SPL have done for Rangers in terms of aiding them in European competition. They have simply accommodated a fixture

"It's all very well for the SPL to go on about Rangers' co-efficient and how it's great for Scottish football but they are doing nothing to assist us.

"As for the situation of not being in the UEFA Cup Final, we have been asked to play four games in eight days.

"The SPL cite the preservation of sporting integrity in their decision yet Rangers are the only club being asked to play four games in eight days, so there is no sporting integrity.

"What we find baffling is that the SPL can extend the season if we reach the UEFA Cup Final but they can't do it from a sporting integrity point of view if we don't.

"Why is the season simply not extended to conclude on May 27 regardless?"

hahahahah, can't make it up