FORMER Rangers striker Mark Hateley does not feel tiredness will scupper the club's Uefa Cup challenge.

Rangers take on Zenit St Petersburg tomorrow night after playing their third league game in seven days on Saturday.

In contrast, the Russian side had all their domestic games cancelled following their semi-final triumph over Bayern Munich on May 1.

But Hateley (right) insisted Walter Smith's men finished the stronger side in those games against Hibs, Motherwell and Dundee United, who they beat 3-1 on Saturday.

"A lot of things have been said about tiredness but I can't see it," Hateley said. "I thought the players played with a lot of enthusiasm and energy at the end of the United game, which goes down to great preparation by Adam Owen, the sports scientist.

"It's a great credit to the department for turning out a team that can play 70 games a season. I don't think tiredness comes into it, especially for the Uefa Cup Final."

Hateley, now a fans' ambassador for the club, believes the importance of the occasion will further stamp out any signs of fatigue within the squad.

"It's something to be embraced by everybody and enjoyed by everybody.

"It is there to be won, it is a one-off game. It's very exciting," he added.