Rangers' fixture schedule became slightly clearer on Friday when the SPL and the SFA confirmed dates for important games next month.The postponed Old Firm derby which should have taken place at Parkhead in January will now be played on Wednesday, April 16, with a 7.45pm kick-off.

The Scottish Cup sixth-round replay between Rangers and Partick Thistle will take place on Sunday, April 13.

That was the date the semi-final against St Johnstone should have been played and that game will now go ahead at Hampden on Sunday, April 20 at 3pm.

If Rangers progress to the semi-final of the UEFA Cup, they will come up against either PSV Eindhoven or Fiorentina four days later.

The Ibrox club already faced a packed fixture schedule and Wednesday's Scottish Cup quarter-final draw with Partick only succeeded in adding to the fixture congestion.

But SFA chief executive Gordon Smith believes they have come to the best possible solution to ease the pressure on Walter Smith's men.

He said: "We were very conscious of the fixture congestion that is being faced presently and having looked at all possibilities and discussed these with the SPL, the SFL and the clubs, we are delighted we have found the best solution available in the circumstances."

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