Rangers: SPL split is unfair

• Walter Smith and Martin Bain

Ibrox Rangers chief executive Martin Bain said his club had been put at a "competitive disadvantage" by being given trips to Hibernian, Dundee United and Celtic in succession.

Bain has also criticised the decision to give Celtic a third home match against Motherwell, whose pitch suffered badly in the harsh winter, and called for an end to the split.

Bain told the club's official website: "We find it very disappointing and surprising that we have been asked to play three consecutive away matches in the space of 10 days at such a crucial stage of the season.

"We know we have work to do in our efforts to win the championship but it is maybe just as well we have a good lead given the schedule we are faced with.

"It is certainly our understanding that clubs are never forced to play three away games in a row before the split so we don't know why we are being asked to do so now."

Bain's criticism follows disquiet from St Mirren over their third trip to relegation rivals Falkirk and strong unhappiness from Motherwell over their fixtures, which see them play two more away games than home matches.