Hibernian dent Rangers title hopes

Rangers are seven points behind SPL leaders Celtic after a 0-0 draw at Hibernian.

The Uefa Cup finalists were held at Easter Road but they still have three games in hand and they are guaranteed to claim the title if they win all of their remaining fixtures.

Rangers manager Walter Smith: "We can't really afford any more slip-ups.

"Celtic have only two games left in two weeks and we had about ten at the last count!

"We have two home games coming up so hopefully we can get up for those games ahead of the Uefa Cup final."

In fact, Rangers have seven fixtures to play in 18 days, including two cup finals.

Smith is angry that Rangers' Uefa Cup final opponents Zenit St Petersburg will not play until the teams meet on May 14.

He said: "The Russian FA made their intentions clear right from the start but we've had a couple of days since we reached the final and we've not heard from anyone.

"The SPL were very quick to put precedents down when they asked us to play four games in a week and there have been other precedents for teams who have faced finals and been given a little bit of dispensation.

"But the SPL made it perfectly clear that there was no willingness on anybody's part to give us some leeway."

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