Rangers boss Walter Smith took a swipe at the SPL after Zenit St Petersburg were granted a rest by the Russian FA ahead of the UEFA Cup final.Dick Advocaat's side will not play until the final against the Light Blues on May 14 whereas the Ibrox side face two homes games against Motherwell on Wednesday and Dundee United next Saturday before the trip to the City of Manchester Stadium.

The SPL season has been extended by four days to allow Rangers to get through a heavily-congested fixture list which will see them play four times in eight days after the UEFA Cup final, but the former Scotland boss claimed that did not help his side at all.

Smith alluded to Celtic having a game against Dundee brought forward to allow them a week's preparation ahead of their UEFA Cup final against Porto in Seville five years ago.

The Rangers boss, who watched his side drop two SPL points in a goalless game against Hibernian at Easter Road, said: "The Russian FA made their intentions clear right from the start but we've had a couple of days since we reached the final and we've not heard from anyone.

"The SPL were very quick to put precedents down when they asked us to play four games in a week and there have been other precedents for teams who have faced finals and been given a little bit of dispensation.

"But the SPL made it perfectly clear that there was no willingness on anybody's part to give us some leeway.

"The extension they put in place was because it was physically impossible for us to fit the games in, they weren't doing anyone a favour."

Rangers keeper Neil Alexander will try and dismiss the advantage the Russian side have ahead of their meeting in Manchester. He said: "I wouldn't say I was angry, I would say I was more disappointed that they are getting to prepare for a major, major cup final in the right way while we are struggling to get two days off in a row.

"It is tough but we are in a fantastic situation to be involved in and we are all looking forward to it.

"It would be great if the situation was different but we know that so we will go in focused for every game."

The Ibrox side have five league games left in comparison to Celtic's two and with a seven-point gap separating the sides Smith admits there can be no more points dropped if his side are to take the championship away from Parkhead.

He said: "We can't really afford any more slip-ups.

"Celtic have only two games left in two weeks and we had about 10 at the last count!

"We have two home games coming up so hopefully we can get up for those games ahead of the UEFA Cup final."

Defender Carlos Cuellar's booking against Hibs means he will miss the St Mirren game on May 19 and Chris Burke, who needs an ankle operation, is out for the rest of the season at least.

Smith said: "Cuellar's suspension is a blow but injuries and suspensions will take its toll.

"Chris is out for the rest of the season and for the start of next season but Charlie Adam and Lee McCulloch could be back for next week."

Hibernian moved in to joint-fourth place with Dundee United and are still in with a chance of a UEFA Cup place.

However, manager Mixu Paatelainen insists his side were not aided by a tired Rangers side.

He said: "I didn't think Rangers were any weaker than normal.

"The players had plenty of energy and confidence and they showed that.

"I think we have a good chance of finishing third.

"We have two matches left and if we win them both then we might be third, depending on other results obviously."

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