Pile-up for Gers after cancellation

WALTER SMITH backed the decision to call off last night’s Clydesdale Bank Premier League game against St Mirren even though Rangers are now facing fixture congestion.

Heavy rainfall and a waterlogged pitch prompted referee Stuart Dougal to postpone the match at Love Street around 6.35pm following two inspections of the pitch.

The fixture was originally set to take place back in November and was postponed to allow Old Firm international players more time to prepare for Scotland’s Euro 2008 qualifier against Italy.

Rangers already have two other outstanding games, against Gretna and Celtic, to play in the SPL.

But Smith said: “There was a genuine concern for the players when you look at the conditions as they are and the forecast was to get worse. We just have to accept it.”