The 3 Rangers stars that can leave behind ultimate Ibrox gift during 'perfect' Celtic opportunity
Lee McCulloch has come up with the perfect farewell present for Rangers’ departing stars to leave behind before heading for the Ibrox exit - hope for next season.
Gers gaffer Philippe Clement has already announced he’ll be overhauling his squad the summer with six players out of contract and a number of loans up. The likes of Borna Barisic, John Lundstram and Fabio Silva can bow out on a high, however, if they can see off Celtic in Saturday’s Scottish Cup Final. And McCulloch reckons those staying put can benefit too from the boost in confidence a Cup win would provide.
The former Light Blues captain said: “Saturday is a big game. Obviously it’s disappointing that the team didn’t get over the line and win the league. But I think this is a great opportunity for it to be a double-winning season and send the team into the summer with a positive mindset.
“If you go right back to the start of the season and getting beat off Kilmarnock under a previous regime. The fans really weren’t happy and there was a massive disconnect from the pitch to the stands and probably to the management staff. But the new manager has come in and given a bit of hope.
“OK, they’ve fallen a little bit short with injuries and a little bit of a dip in form from one or two. But I think it would be the perfect opportunity for the players to stake a claim for a place in next year’s team or even if they want to move on.
“Whatever the reason, it’s the perfect opportunity to go lift another cup for the club and make sure you go into the summer on a high. I don’t know who is leaving but if you are going in to the summer on the back of winning the Scottish Cup and a Double for the season then, wherever you are going to end up next, it has given the fans a little bit of hope for the following season.”
Rangers have failed to beat Celtic all season and the bookies will be pricing the Hoops at short odds to claim another result. But Jig warned: “Rangers still have a lot of very good players, match winners, in their team and I think it would be foolish to write them off. There shouldn’t be any fear. Form going out the window in cup finals.
“Rangers have Cyriel Dessers on form, you’ve got Dujon Sterling in the middle of the park, or out wide, or at full-back, who can fill in. There’s a tremendous goalkeeper in Jack Butland, you’ve got the captain in James Tavernier who can score again from everywhere.
“So there’s positives there. Sometimes it’s easy to forget about those positives but the manager will no doubt be reminding the squad just how good they can be.”
McCulloch filled gaps across defence, midfield and attack during his eight years Rangers career. But he knows where he’d like to see Gers’ current utility man Sterling slot in this weekend.
He said: “I’ve been really impressed with Dujon. He played centre-midfield against Aberdeen in the cup final and got Man of the Match. He can play on the right, he can play right-back. He is effective anywhere in the team. Arguably, the manager would be wanting two or three of him.
“I don’t know what his best position is but I really like him in the middle of the pitch. It doesn’t matter where on the pitch he plays, he will play well. It’s just about trying to get the best out of him. He’s got energy, pace, a work ethic, he has got desire. It looks as if he loves playing for the club.
“There is a massive connection between the fans and him. I think he is becoming a fans’ favourite. It will be interesting to see where the manager plays him."
McCulloch was speaking as he met pupils attending the Rangers Charity Foundations' Scottish FA Extra Time programme at the Ibrox Community Complex.