Rangers slam Sky Sports and SPFL over 'extremely poor' Christmas fixture shake up as previous broadcaster snub revealed

Rangers have released a scathing statement taking aim at Sky Sports and the SPFL for moving their fixture against Motherwell.

The Scottish Premiership trip to Fir Park had originally been scheduled for the December 23, but has now been picked up by the broadcaster on December 24 for their Christmas schedule. The SPFL announced on Friday that the Rangers game has been pushed back to a lunchtime kick-off on Christmas Eve and will be televised.

The Steelmen have taken aim at the SPFL following the announcement - claiming that playing the day before Christmas will not only inconvenience supporters and force some fans to miss the game, but also affects the hospitality around the match, which had already been sold. Now Rangers have backed the Lanarkshire side over their stance.

A club statement read: "Rangers are disappointed to have learned today our fixture with Motherwell, originally scheduled for December 23, has been moved to Christmas Eve, December 24. The club fully appreciates the lengths our supporters travel for these matches and the sacrifices that are made in order to back their team at every opportunity.

"Sky Sports’ movement of the match to Christmas Eve, a day where many supporters will have other plans and also, where public transport is limited, feels unnecessary given the potential broadcast slots available to them on the Saturday. The club also learned of this fixture change only an hour prior to its external announcement, which allowed no time for any dialogue or debate with either Sky Sports or the SPFL.

"Earlier this season, the club asked for our fixture with St Mirren on Sunday October 8 to kick-off later than 12noon given the team flew over five hours back from Cyprus on the Friday evening, to allow