The Scottish Premier League could cost Rangers European glory, according to Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
The former Rangers player has hit out at the SPL's decision to force the Ibrox club to play Dundee United on Saturday - four days before their UEFA Cup final against Zenit St Petersburg.
That will be their third Clydesdale Bank Premier League game in seven days, while the Russian side will not have played since beating Bayern Munich in the semi-final on May 1.
The SPL have extended the season by four days to May 22 to accommodate the fixture pile-up being experienced by Rangers.
But their refusal to prolong it further angered Rangers manager Walter Smith and his friend Ferguson.
"The obvious deterrent to Rangers winning this game is the number of fixtures they have had," Govan-born Ferguson told STV's Scotland Today.
"They have not been helped by the Scottish football league.
"It is a typical British (attitude), don't help you, whereas St Petersburg cancel all their games. So that's fantastic preparation.
"That could make the difference."
Ferguson, whose team have nine free days to prepare for their Champions League final against Chelsea, also hit out at the fixture pile-up Rangers face in the final week of their domestic season.
"They have got Saturday and then the cup final the following Wednesday," he said.
"Then they have a Saturday lunchtime kick-off, then a Monday game, a Thursday game and then a Saturday game.
"It's absolutely ridiculous."
