Dado Prso has backed the four Rangers stars who have pulled out of Scotland's friendly against Croatia, insisting they are not "machines".Of the five Rangers men selected by George Burley for his first game as national team coach, only Kris Boyd remains available as the demands of a gruelling season take their toll.

Rangers skipper Barry Ferguson came through Saturday's win over Hibernian with the help of an injection on a troublesome ankle, and his withdrawal means the Scotland captaincy will go to Celtic's Stephen McManus at Hampden.

Lee McCulloch, Christian Dailly and goalkeeper Allan McGregor have also pulled out, leaving Boyd as the lone Ranger.

Former Gers striker Prso, who conceded defeat to injury and retired at the end of last season, has returned to Scotland to watch his native Croatia in a match he rates crucial to their preparations for Euro 2008.

But, with Rangers having clocked up 50 games already this season and with Saturday's crucial Old Firm derby looming, he believes the Rangers contingent were right not to take any chances.

He said: "Why continue to suffer? Why not have a rest?

"I can understand why some players need to have a rest after a run like this. There are a lot of games.

"I spoke to Barry Ferguson and he says they have already had to play 50 games. That is really a massive ask for any player.

"We are not machines. It is impossible to perform at your best when you are playing a game every three days.

"I know everybody always want to see them at their best but, even if you have a rest and are very professional, it's very hard."

Prso knows better than most the heavy toll football can take on the body after a series of knee injuries forced him to quit the game early.

As he promoted Setanta's live coverage of this weekend's Rangers-Celtic clash at Ibrox, he admitted another Old Firm outing is a tussle he would have relished.

"I do wish I was still playing here," said the 33-year-old. "Especially when I come here and see the supporters.

"But, for me, it is an impossible wish. Sometimes that is hard to accept.

"It's beautiful when you score against Celtic and you see all the fans happy. You know what it means to the fans and the club.

"It's really a big moment. I didn't know what it would mean but, in my first minute of my first derby, I saw what it was all about."

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