SPL moves Gretna game to aid Gers

Rangers beat Lyon 3-0 in France earlier in Group E

Rangers have had their request for the postponement of Sunday's match against Gretna at Fir Park granted by the Scottish Premier League.

The Ibrox club wanted more time to prepare for their Champions League Group E qualifying decider against Lyon three days later.

Rangers must avoid defeat in Glasgow to go through to the last 16 of Europe's premier club competition.

The SPL re-arranged the match against Gretna for Wednesday 16 January.

Rangers had cited the example of SPL matches involving Celtic and themselves being postponed ahead of Scotland's Euro 2008 qualification decider with Italy.

And, with Gretna giving backing to the request, the decision to postpone was taken by SPL chairman Lex Gold and secretary Iain Blair.

The SPL pointed out that the French authorities had allowed Lyon a similar weekend off, cancelling their tie at Caen.

"Gretna were more than happy to accommodate our request when initially contacted last week and we are delighted the SPL have now agreed to postpone Sunday's game," said a Rangers spokesman.

"The decision not only benefits Rangers but Scottish football as a whole and we can now concentrate fully on our crucial Champions League tie."

Gretna head coach Davie Irons backed the plan, saying: "We have to look at the bigger picture - it isn't just about Rangers.

"It's about the knock-on effect for the whole of Scottish football, the co-efficient and the positive effects it can have on our game."

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Meanwhile, Lyon stretched their lead in the Ligue 1 to six points with a 5-0 hammering of Strasbourg at the weekend.

Nearest challengers Nancy were defeated 2-1 away to Le Mans.

Swedish international Kim Kallstrom scored a double for Lyon against Strasbourg, Juninho, Karim Benzema and Francois Clerc adding the other goals.