Rangers chiefs have slammed Sky Sports after the league match against Motherwell in December was moved to Christmas Eve in order to be shown on live TV.

The match had been scheduled for December 23 but has now been moved to December 24 with a 12 o'clock kick-off at Fir Park.

After the fixture amendment, Rangers chiefs have criticised the decision citing the impact on supporters' ability to attend at a busy festive period and with limited public transport.

The club states that slots were available for the match to be shown on TV on the original date without disruption.

Rangers were further dismayed to only learn of the fixture change an hour before it was announced to the public with no room for discourse over the situation.

And club chiefs also cited a previous request to alter a fixture - against St Mirren on October 8 - to assist after a five-hour flight from Cyprus which was rejected by league chiefs.

In the strongly-worded statement the club criticises "valued league partner" Sky Sports for an "extremely poor"  decision which "shows a lack of regard to our supporters."

READ MORE: Motherwell slam SPFL over Rangers Christmas Eve fixture switch

A statement on the club website 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 for more preparation and recovery time. This request was denied.

"Sky Sports are a valued league partner, and as a club, we enjoy a strong working relationship with them. This decision, however, is extremely poor and shows a lack of regard to our supporters."