Warbs’ winter blues

Scottish Cup Final against Hibs. I see the Bundesliga and La Liga having breaks over Christmas.

It’s a time when players and staff can spend time with their families and that makes perfect sense.

“I don’t get the first few weeks in January.

“Has it just been done for the sake of it? No, I’m sure there are some wise heads who have worked it out and there has been some demand but, for Rangers, I don’t get it.

“It caused us a big problem before the Cup Final and I don’t know what we’re going to do with it.

“I haven’t seen the stats but I’m sure a lot of top-flight teams go out in that round when you have a winter break because they won’t be prepared, whereas the Championship teams will have been playing.

“You could face a highflying Championship team who have played four or five games and we’d be coming from a winter break, after hunting around trying to find a fixture. I don’t see the logic in that one.”

Warburton also believes that cross-border competition is inevitable, even though English clubs last week closed the doors on the prospect of the Old Firm playing down south,

He added: “Will Rangers and Celtic ever play in England? That’s too spicy a subject for me to comment on directly but UEFA have indicated their willingness to allow cross-border.

“I think after the Euros in 2020, you are going to see significant changes.

“I won’t be at all surprised if at some stage we see world leagues. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Man United v Boca or Arsenal v Fluminese, being played in Beijing.

“Rangers , l ike ever y club, wi l l be posturing for position ahead of any changes. We have some very good people at the club and you have to make sure you’re at the front of the queue.”