H72 265 Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 Rangers face four games in eight days due to fixture backlogOfficials of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League have informed Rangers and Dundee United that they may both need to play four league games in the space of eight days in order for the division’s annual split to take place after April 16.By Ewing Grahame 10:00PM GMT 09 Feb 2011The governing body is currently wrestling with the logistical problems posed by the champions and the Scottish Cup holders suffering from a combination of postponements, cup replays and, for the former, European ties.Rangers have yet to find a date for their home game against St Mirren (postponed because of burst pipes on Dec 18) but their more immediate concern is arranging visits to Pittodrie, Tannadice and McDiarmid Park, a problem exacerbated by next month’s Scottish Cup replay with Celtic and their appearance against the same opponents in the Co-operative Insurance Cup final.Dundee United have played fewer matches than anyone else in the top flight but their continuing involvement in the Scottish Cup – with the potential for further replays – is another worry.“We have already intimated to Walter Smith, the Rangers manager, and to Dundee United’s chairman, Stephen Thompson, that this is a real possibility,” said a SPL spokesman.“Right now we’re doing everything we can to avoid that. We’re trying to reschedule fixtures to create space: for example, we could use Bank Holiday weekends to arrange for matches to be played on Friday and Monday.“A lot will depend on how far Rangers progress in the Europa League. By all accounts, Sporting Lisbon aren’t the force they were and it’s not unreasonable to expect them to go through to the last 16.“Once there, they’ll be up against either Lille or PSV Eindhoven, which will take care of two midweek dates in March. Again, it’s possible they could make the quarter-finals, which would make arranging their league games even more difficult.“Rangers’ outstanding match against St Mirren can be played after the split because Saints will be in the bottom half of the table but Dundee United, St Johnstone and Aberdeen all have hopes of a top-six place so those games must be played before the split.”The SPL’s options have also been reduced as a result of Craig Levein organising a gathering for the Scotland squad later this month and the possibility of a challenge match against Brazil at the Emirates Stadium in March.When Rangers reached the finals of the Uefa, Scottish and CIS Cups in 2008 ( playing a record 68 games in the process), the SPL extended the season by five days to increase their chances of beating Zenit St Petersburg.However, should Walter Smith’s men emulate that achievement it’s unlikely that they will receive similar assistance.The spokesman added: “Everyone agrees that we should try to help our clubs in Europe but what we cannot do is actively disadvantage our other members in domestic competitions.“On top of that, Scotland have Carling Nations Cup matches against Wales and the Republic of Ireland less than four days after the Scottish Cup final.”Consequently, SPL secretary Ian Blair has asked his colleagues at the SFA to help prevent a repeat of the fixture backlog by dispensing with replays in the Scottish Cup.“While you can’t ignore the commercial value of replays – especially the forthcoming one between Celtic and Rangers – there’s no doubt that these extra games contribute to the problem,” he said.“There has been pretty good dialogue between Stewart Regan at the SFA and ourselves and anything which would reduce the demands on our top players would be welcome.”Rangers confirmed that Scotland midfielder Lee McCulloch would undergo surgery next week to remove a cyst from his knee joint. The 32 year-old is expected to miss the remainder of the season.http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/rangers/8313989/Rangers-face-four-games-in-eight-days-due-to-fixture-backlog.html?sms_ss=facebook&at_xt=4d531cf3c25316ea,0Note: this is just being considered apparently, but I'll be very surprised if it comes out any other way.Discuss.Oh, and another thing. The SFA helped Rangers during their run for the quad in 2008. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonkgers 3 Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 I bet Walter's raging now he called out the SPL on how they cannot extend the season! doh Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irwin Sparkes 97 Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 Can't really be helped, but i don't expect us to beat Sporting anyway Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brissybear 50 Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 I sense we have a real chance of going on a good run in the UEFA Cup. If Walter rotates his squad we may have a chance starting with Motherwell. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasGers 96 Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 It'd be a total joke if that happened again... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonkgers 3 Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 Can't really be helped, but i don't expect us to beat Sporting anywayI think Walter will do his all in the UEFA cup as it' his last chance of a European trophy! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clemdog 39,389 Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 Get international friendlies to fuck for a start. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
H72 265 Posted February 10, 2011 Author Share Posted February 10, 2011 Can't really be helped, but i don't expect us to beat Sporting anywayAfter months of wondering if I was right in thinking that was the guy from The Hoosiers in your avatar, I finally know it is.My mind is at ease. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
H72 265 Posted February 10, 2011 Author Share Posted February 10, 2011 Get international friendlies to fuck for a start.Spot on. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunslinger 270 Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 id be happy to do it if it means we are in the quarters of the uefa cup. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
H72 265 Posted February 10, 2011 Author Share Posted February 10, 2011 id be happy to do it if it means we are in the quarters of the uefa cup.Rangers will not win the UEFA Cup with this squad.I'm not saying field weakened sides against Lisbon but the league is the priority. If we're going to get papped out then I'd rather it was sooner rather than later. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
minstral 5,375 Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 Lets help the Earls, and Walter should tell them to f--k off. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
G.E.C. 19,586 Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 Lightning better not fucking strike twice. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott-RFC 308 Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 Barcelona wouldnt be able to get themselves up for 4 games in 8 days and win them all Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxwellrfc 6 Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 Meh, if it happens it happens. We just have to deal with it.Can't see us gettin past Sporting anyway so everything should be alright. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott-RFC 308 Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 Meh, if it happens it happens. We just have to deal with it.Can't see us gettin past Sporting anyway so everything should be alright.If we dont there is something far wrongThey are woeful Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxwellrfc 6 Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 If we dont there is something far wrongThey are woefulAye cause we're brilliant arent we...Sporting have a better team than us. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithgersbear 3,225 Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 We should be WANTING to play games like that so close to each other. Win them all and we are flying. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott-RFC 308 Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 Aye cause we're brilliant arent we...Sporting have a better team than us.Disagree Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott-RFC 308 Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 We should be WANTING to play games like that so close to each other. Win them all and we are flying.You cant play 4 games in 8 days, its near impossible to win them all Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluenose_72 198 Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 Levein has organised a get together and a potential friendly next month?He can get to fuck for a start. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunslinger 270 Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 Rangers will not win the UEFA Cup with this squad.I'm not saying field weakened sides against Lisbon but the league is the priority. If we're going to get papped out then I'd rather it was sooner rather than later.the later the better for me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nvager 498 Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 Well lets start making use of the full squad and rotate players. Use all substitutes in matches too. Make use of Bartley, Healy, Hutton, Wylde, Fleck, etc. Lets see how good they can be.Stop moaning about small squad - if you dont use them why moan? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JM1872 3,818 Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 4 games, who are they going to be against? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozblue 4,332 Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 Supporters get all hot and bothered when they hear of having to play 4 games in 8 days, but players don't.It is not unusual around the world to play games every 2nd day in short periods where time is limited.Ask ANY player what would they prefer to do...Play every other day, or train? and I know what answer you will get 100%...and it's not the latter.Apart from getting a knock that might niggle you a little bit, the biggest energy sapper of playing every few days is heat and travelling long distances, so considering these games will be played before April 16th and that they are at home to St Mirren...Away to Aberdeen, Dundee Utd and St Johnstone, that killed the travel fatigue excuse stone dead.As minstral stated, utilise the whole squad to get the results and get on with the fucking thing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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