WALTER SMITH has revealed that Rangers have not asked for an extension to the season should they keep progressing on all fronts - and don't intend to.

SPL chiefs will face a nightmare scenario if the Ibrox side get past Sporting Lisbon and into the semi-finals of the Uefa Cup against either Fiorentina or PSV Eindhoven.

Those two potential semi-final legs would rule out the midweeks of April 23 and April 30 for Rangers outstanding SPL matches against Saint Mirren and Motherwell.

And, should Rangers go all the way to the final on May 14 in Manchester, there has been talk of making them play four games in eight days to fit in any outstanding the fixtures in before the SPL season ends on May 18 Rangers will accept the SPL ruling should that occur. But the Ibrox club would be left with a ludicrous situation of their own country forcing them into playing four matches - on Saturday, May 3, Monday, May 5, Thursday, May 8, and Sunday, May 10 - as their preparation for a major final four days later.

Clearly, that would be a major headache for the SPL, and they themselves may have to look at extending the campaign - against the wishes of Celtic who have already gone public on their disapproval - or else be seen to be putting roadblocks in front of one of their own teams before a European final.

One weekend for an SPL game would be freed up on April 19/20 if Rangers go out of the Scottish Cup to Partick Thistle on April 13, as they then wouldn't have the potential semi-final against St Johnstone to play. But that would require the Jags to pull off a major shock.

Smith rapped: "As far as the backlog of fixtures are concerned, it's been interesting to read everyone's views and comments on it over the last few weeks.

"If we were to progress in all tournaments, there becomes a situation where it would be practically impossible for us to play the games we have - but that's still a big if' remember.

"But I would like to clarify something right now. Nobody from Rangers has ever asked the SPL to extend the season and we will not ask the SPL to extend the season. That is where we are at the present moment."

Smith is also confident his players can handle what will be a minimum 63 game season, although that could rise by five matches if they go all the way to the Uefa and Scottish Cup finals.

He added: "We have four players who are into the mid to late 40s in terms of playing in the 51 matches we've had so far in Allan McGregor, Carlos Cuellar, Davie Weir and Barry Ferguson.

"But there are a number of them who haven't played in that number. What will affect them is that now we'll have to play three games a week with no breaks until the end of the season, depending on how we go in the various competitions.

"I don't think the majority of the squad has been over-played. The ones who have played the biggest majority of matches are the ones who I feel can handle it.

"If it comes to the bit then I don't think the physical part will hurt us. The squad is extremely fit and well prepared.

"That is a credit to Adam Owen, our sports scientist, who makes sure that their fitness levels are high, and that their recovery is good, which it has been.

"I think we are only getting to the start of what could be a very exacting period, as long as we are successful. If we are not, then we won't have the number of games everyone is talking about."