Rangers chairman Sir David Murray claims the football world will "laugh in disbelief" at the Scottish Premier League's refusal to extend the season to allow Walter Smith's team extra time to prepare for the UEFA Cup final.

Murray wants talks with the SPL once the season is over after being frustrated with league officials on more than one occasion during the present campaign.

Rangers had called for Saturday's SPL match against Dundee United to be rescheduled, to ensure Smith's side are prepared as well as possible for the showdown in Manchester with Zenit St Petersburg on May 14.

However that proposal was rejected and further talks on Tuesday morning involving the SPL and the Scottish Football Association only resulted in confirmation the league season will end on May 22 and the Scottish Cup final featuring Rangers and Queen of the South will proceed according to plan on May 24.

If the United game had been moved, the SPL season could have finished on the day allocated for the cup final, or on a later date.

"Throughout the world people will laugh at this decision in disbelief, and none more so than in Russia as their own association have done everything they can to assist FC Zenit St Petersburg," Murray said.

Zenit have had four games postponed to allow them time to gear up for the City of Manchester Stadium clash.

Murray explained: "We were not asking that all games be called off, simply one match prior to such a prestigious European final.

"The reaction throughout Europe when we have been discussing other matters with clubs has been one of astonishment that we are in this situation.

"It has been a remarkable season despite being spoiled by bureaucracy and Scottish footballing legislators."

SportingLife / Eurosport