Mcculloch at a loss to explain poor Ibrox form

T may be one of most sobering moments of a heady season. The pre-match froth of an Old Firm match normally bristles with talk of its significance in terms of the destination of the title but Lee Mcculloch was compelled to place a more realistic value on tomorrow’s match at Ibrox.

“I think second place is what we have to go for now and we can start off with a result on Sunday,” said the Rangers midfielder ahead of a match his side must win to avoid a historic fourth straight defeat at Ibrox.

“It is certainly the worst run of results before we face Celtic. But Old Firm games can change the mentality from the rest of the season,” he said.

“I just don’t know why we have been so poor at home this season. Every season for the past four we have gone through patches of not playing well at Ibrox. A lot of teams come to frustrate you at home while this season it comes at a time when we are not at our best.”

Mcculloch, though, anticipates an attacking approach from Celtic. “They will come and have a go and they will fancy their chances. They are a good team and they are on a good run, outwith their last match,” he said.

“They have got quality right through their team. They are more than within their rights to come and have a go at us. We will just need to be ready.”

Rangers have dipped from a team challenging for the Clydesdale Bank Premier League before Christmas to one battling for second place with Motherwell. The administration process, including the 10-point deduction, has taken its toll.

“It is hard to say whether it is all down to what is happening off the park,’’ said Mcculloch of the run of defeats. “As a group of players we try to win every game, but there’s no doubt we have been low with everything that has happened.”

If Motherwell fail to win at Kilmarnock today, Celtic could clinch the championship with a victory tomorrow.

“We definitely don’t want to see a Celtic title party,” Mcculloch said. ‘‘It doesn’t matter if Motherwell win or lose. We just have to take care of ourselves. This is going to be our biggest game of the season.”