Summer break could be just ten days

PEDRO CAIxINHA has warned his Rangers players their summer break could be cut short to just ten days. The Ibrox boss hopes to end the domestic season with an appearance in the Scottish Cup final on May 27. And with a likely Europa League first-round qualifier on June 29, Caixinha intends recalling his players for pre-season training before Scotland’s World Cup qualifier with England on June 10. ‘We said to the players that June 29 is going to be our first match, the Europa League first qualifying round, first leg. So that needs to go into our plan,’ said Caixinha. The Portuguese coach, whose team face Celtic in a Scottish Cup semi-final next month, added: ‘We have the notion we are going to finish the season on May 27. But to give them a rest period, to prepare them for when they restart for that first match next season, normally you need between five to six weeks. ‘That’s more than enough to get the pattern and make them ready to play that first match. So from June 29 you work back five or six weeks and you have the date that you are going to start. But that doesn’t fit … I don’t have the time. ‘So we will have only 21 days of preparation — and I can give them only between ten to 11 days of a vacation. This is the reality we are facing. ‘That means we are trying to organise everything from now until the end of the season in order to start on the right date with everyone on board in the right direction.’ Still seeking an addition to his coaching staff, Caixinha is unlikely to make an appointment before the trip to face Aberdeen at Pittodrie a week on Sunday. ‘We haven’t finished yet,’ reported Caixinha. ‘ ‘I hope by the end of next week I have a decision.’