George Burley, the Scotland manager, has called for the SPL to make changes ahead of next season in the wake of the Rangers fixture row.

The Ibrox club yesterday failed in their bid to have Saturday's Clydesdale Bank Premier League match against Dundee United postponed to allow more time to prepare for the Uefa Cup final against Zenit St Petersburg in Manchester next Wednesday.

The SPL's refusal to extend the season further means Rangers face the prospect of playing seven games between now and May 24 in their quest to win four trophies, beginning with tonight's visit of Motherwell.

Burley, who named his squad for the friendly against Czech Republic on May 30 at Hampden today, waded into the row, insisting Rangers had been treated unfairly by league bosses.

He said: "I think it's ridiculous at this stage of the season, when I'm naming the squad, that Rangers still have seven games to play. It's something that shouldn't be allowed to happen and it's something the SPL and everybody in Scottish football has to look at.

"Football is changing - the European scene, the Champions League, the UEFA Cup. Are we playing too many games? Other aspects have got to be looked at. It shouldn't happen to any club. They are being punished for their success in reaching the UEFA Cup final and it's something that has to be looked at in the fullness of time."

Burley believes the SPL must learn from the mistakes of this season. He added: "Football is changing and you have to change with it. Scottish clubs have shown they are successful in Europe and hopefully they will continue that.

"They have got to be given the respect and know that, come this stage of the season, it (the fixture schedule) is not going to hinder them. The bottom line is can we do more to help clubs that are doing well in Europe?"

Ross McCormack, the Motherwell striker, was the surprise name in Burley's squad for the friendly against the Czech Republic.

The Scotland Under-21 striker has impressed the manager, who is using the game as a warm-up for the World Cup qualifiers which start in September with a trip to Macedonia.

"Ross has had a good season. He has done well with Billy Stark in the Under-21s," Burley said. "I'm a firm believer that, if you do well with the Under-21s, you should get to move up to the senior squad.

"There is no doubt the boy has got ability and I'm delighted to move him up

Allan McGregor, Barry Ferguson, Lee McCulloch and David Weir of Rangers have been omitted as has Scott Brown, the Celtic midfielder.

Burley said: "I've got a youthful squad, there are five uncapped players and they will get a feel for it. We have 16 players who are 26 and under, so it is a squad who are progressing in their careers and who are still improving. We are looking forward to the next few years.

"It's a game at the end of the season and we are looking for young, fresh players with something to prove."

Speaking of skipper Barry Ferguson's absence for the trip to Prague, Burley explained: "Barry has been struggling for the last few months with an ankle problem and, because of the amount of games he's played, I thought it was important to allow that to settle down."

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