RANGERS defenders Craig Moore and Tony Vidmar could see their summer break cut to just one week.

The Ibrox pair are facing the nightmare scenario thanks to more international duty for Australia - this time at FIFA's

Confederations Cup. Rangers manager Dick Advocaat last week criticised Aussie coach Frank Farina for including the defensive duo in his squad for the World Cup qualifiers against minnows Samoa, American Samoa, Fiji, and Tonga, and the Dutchman is set to be angered again as they jet out to Japan and South Korea at the end of May.

Australia are one of eight teams competing in the event, which FIFA are using as a test run for next year's World Cup.

Farina seems certain to want his full-strength squad with world champions France and Brazil also on show.

The tournament starts on May 30 and lasts until June 10, with the final in Japanese city Yokohama.

That could mean Moore and Vidmar facing another two weeks of action at the end of a

tiring season. With the SPL not ending until Sunday, May 20, the players will have barely seven days rest before heading for the Far East, and when the tournament ends, they are likely to be plunged back into pre-season training, set to begin in mid-June.

The SPL is facing its shortest-ever summer shutdown, with an early restart to cope with the World Cup fixtures.

That will leave Moore and Vidmar without a proper rest, dismaying Advocaat, who has blamed his side's woeful form this season on their huge injury problems.

Canada are also part of the Confederations Cup and that means Dundee United defender Jason De Vos, Livingston striker Davide Xausa, and Inverness Caley Thistle's Richard Hastings face similar problems.

There was more bad news for Advocaat yesterday when Derby County warned the Dutchman he will have to pay out at least #5m to land their highly rated midfielder, Seth Johnson.

Ibrox scouts have watched the England Under-21 internationalist on numerous occasions and the Pride Park player is on their wanted list.

However, Derby manager Jim Smith last night insisted that the #4m figure being quoted for the player will have to be increased significantly if a deal is to be struck.

Smith said: ''Rangers have been coming down to our games at Pride Park, but, in saying that, Manchester United are here every week.

''I have not had any contact with them about Seth. No-one has spoken to me about it.

''In Scotland, it does come out when a club are interested in a player because that's their way of dealing with it.

''But #4m would probably buy his right leg - and that is his worst one.''

Advocaat also learned yesterday that he has lost the race to sign Belgian midfielder Sven Vermant, from Bruges.

The 27-year-old signed a pre-contract agreement with Schalke 04 despite the Ibrox club's interest.

Advocaat watched the midfielder in action and Vermant was reported to be interested in moving to Scotland.

However, he admitted that he switched to Germany because Schalke had been first to make him an offer.

Meanwhile, Rangers feeder club Northern Spirit face the embarrassment of being kicked out of the Australian League.

The Sydney-based outfit have struggled badly this season despite the Ibrox club investing heavily in the team. and with Australia's National Soccer League reducing the number of clubs next season by three, reports Down Under have suggested that Northern Spirit will be deemed surplus to requirements.

The league want to ensure there is an equal spread of teams across the country. Australia's biggest city already has Sydney United, Sydney Olympic, Paramatta Power as well as Northern Spirit.

With Spirit currently struggling, they are regarded as favourites to be axed.

Rangers bought a controlling stake in Spirit last year with a view of taking the first step to establishing a global network, but the Aussies have struggled both on and off the pitch, with poor crowds watching a struggling team.