SPL reject Gers' fixture plea May 06 2008
The Scottish Premier League have ruled out extending the domestic season beyond May 22 - and the Scottish Cup final will also go ahead as scheduled on May 24.
Rangers had called for the SPL to allow them to postpone Saturday's match against Dundee United, to allow Walter Smith's side extra time to prepare for next week's UEFA Cup final.
That could have led to the final round of league games being played on the date designated for the Scottish Cup showpiece between the Gers and Queen of the South, and the Hampden clash being postponed until a later date.
There now seems little chance of the Terrors clash being moved back, as Smith's team have a hectic run of games to come before the end of the season.
SPL and Scottish Football Association officials met on Tuesday morning but could not find a viable way to alter the fixture programme.
The Light Blues take on Motherwell at Ibrox on Wednesday, then welcome United to Govan in the SPL on Saturday - four days before their European final against Zenit St Petersburg at the City of Manchester Stadium.
After the goalless draw against Hibernian at Easter Road two days ago, which began a run of eight games in 21 days for the Glasgow outfit, Smith criticised the SPL for not offering the quadruple hopefuls any help to prepare for their first European final in 36 years.
SPL executive chairman Lex Gold said on Tuesday: "The SFA indicated late yesterday that they wished to discuss whether there was any help they could provide.
"We met this morning to explore the available options, including a review of the Scottish Cup final date.
"The meeting took place in a constructive atmosphere. But no viable alternatives to the fixture list issued on April 22 emerged that did not place the integrity of the SPL competition at risk.
"Given the stage we have now reached in our competition, both in terms of the title chase and in relation to the European places, it is not possible to modify the closing date of the season without placing at serious risk the fairness to all of our competition.
"The season will end on Thursday, May 22."