Our destiny is in our hands. It is hardly the inspiring speech from Gladiator. But David Weir, who is almost old enough to star in the real-life version in a pristine Colosseum, was displaying the defiance of an old warrior yesterday as a series of duels loom.

Rangers, with opponents lining up, are incensed about the thumbs-down for their plans for an extension to the season, with the Scottish Premier League only prepared to stretch the competition to May 22 rather than May 27.

Weir, though, was quietly resolute in the aftermath of defeat from Celtic, when he was red-carded after a post-match scuffle with Gary Caldwell, and in advance of a UEFA Cup semi-final.

"What is said and what is written is irrelevant," he said, dismissing post-Old Firm bluster. "Our destiny is in our hands. We are in the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup, the final of the Scottish Cup and in a great position in the league. We can make history."

His disapproval of the SPL decision was all the more strong because of its under-stated expression. "Rangers have asked for one game to be postponed, for an early European game, and other than that it's been circumstances outwith our control or as a result of our success," he said of the fixture backlog.

"So there is a big argument for saying that maybe the SPL could help Rangers as a club out. But they make the decision and we respond to it. It is up to us to respond to it in the right way and try to be as successful as we can, regardless of the obstacles that are put in front of us."

He dismissed suggestions that Rangers are a tired team. "There have been injuries and suspensions that are not ideal," he said of recent lacklustre performances.

"But you are not going to be successful without coming up against obstacles. It is up to us to get over them and give it our best shot.

"Up to now we have matched the challenge. Nobody said we played well on Sunday in the semi-final penalty shootout win over St Johnstone, but we are in the Scottish Cup final. Nobody says we played well in getting beat at Celtic, but we are still in the race.

"This team seems to have found a way of winning, of being successful. The hardest work is still to be done, but all the signs have been good."

Weir scorned suggestions that Rangers were short of troops for the final battles.

He said: "We are not making excuses or looking for ways out. We are in the fortunate position that we have a good squad. We have depth in our squad and there are opportunities for people. You saw that on Sunday. There were a lot of players missing, but the quality of the squad is such that it was Steve Davis and Thomas Buffel coming off the bench."

Weir has already completed some preparation for the Fiorentina tie by speaking to his former team-mates at Everton. He has been firmly appraised that Rangers will be facing a good side. However, he believes victory is not essential tonight: "I don't think a scoreless draw at home is ever a bad result. It can lead to a successful result in the tie."

He added of the semi-final match-up: "Hopefully this is not the end of it, but the start of it."

The veteran still has the appetite for battle.