Defiant Kenny Dalglish insists Rangers wouldn't want any break from Scottish Premiership action amid calls for the SPFL to grant the Ibrox side a free weekend to focus on the Champions League.
Gio van Bronckhorst ’s side beat Union Saint Gilloise to set up a playoff round showdown with PSV Eindhoven with the first leg to take place at Ibrox next Tuesday, with the Dutch governing body quickly granting Ruud van Nistelrooy’s a rest period next weekend. That led to some pundits claiming that the league authorities should give Rangers the same option going into the clash.
The Light Blues travel to the capital to face Hibs on August 20 with the decisive second leg in the Netherlands just four days, and the likes of Ally McCoist have floated the idea of Rangers being given a free run between their playoff clashes. However, Dalglish insists the Ibrox management and players wouldn't want the break after their relentless run to the Europa League final last term.
He pointed to the win over Celtic just days after seeing off Braga as proof that the Rangers' star "thrive" during a run of big games. Writing in The Sunday Post, Dalglish said: "Much has been made of PSV Eindhoven getting their league fixture next weekend postponed ahead of their Champions League return tie against Rangers.
"Many people in Scotland – fans and pundits alike – feel the same courtesy should be afforded to the Ibrox club by the SPFL. That would mean rescheduling the game away to Hibs on Saturday for later in the season.
"In an ideal world, that sounds perfect. But I’m not so sure having their Premiership game called off is what Rangers would want.
"They played Thursday-Sunday many times last season, and coped really well with the intensity and hectic schedule, both in Europe and domestically.
"Indeed, James Tavernier and Co seemed to thrive on it. Remember when they played Braga at Ibrox in the Europa League quarter-final second leg, and it went to extra-time? Rangers won after 120 minutes.
"They then faced Celtic at Hampden on the Sunday, and defeated the Hoops – again after extra-time – in the Scottish Cup semi-final. Despite the extra games and the midweek exertions, Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side finished the Cup tie the stronger of the two teams.
"So, I’m not sure the Light Blues would want that rest period next weekend."
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