McCulloch ticks all the boxes as Caixinha looks to name his No 3
PEDRO CAIXINHA appears to have ruled Kenny Miller out of a coaching role at Rangers.
The striker, himself, seems to be making noises that it is a playing contract he wants above all else.
So be it. Miller has been one of Rangers’ better performers, despite being 37 years of age, and would probably be worth offering another one-year deal.
Even if he will no longer be the go-to guy up front, his knowledge of the club over three hugely eventful spells will be invaluable to Caixinha along with his professionalism and work with the Ibrox Under-20 squad.
It leaves the issue, of course, of which Scot the Portuguese — due to meet chairman Dave King this week — will pick as his No 3.
Barry Ferguson is the favourite in the eyes of many and appears to be doing everything he can to nudge his way in, stating he wants the job and using his newspaper column to pay Caixinha as many compliments as possible.
It is to Ferguson’s credit he opted to start at the bottom in management with Clyde, but difficult to escape the fact they may yet drop out of the SPFL.
Neil McCann and Alex Rae are available. However, should Caixinha get round to talking to potential candidates, he might find Lee McCulloch an interesting type. Still interim manager at Kilmarnock, the former Rangers captain plays his cards close to his chest on future plans.
However, he is very serious about his coaching, talking just recently in impressive terms about travelling to Manchester City and other clubs to increase his knowledge. He also preaches the message of football being a 24/7 business that Caixinha has already alluded to.
He put himself through a media course and, having been skipper during Rangers’ failed season in the Championship, can advise Caixinha on handling flak.
Caixinha is wise to want someone with knowledge of Rangers to lean on. Miller seemed an obvious choice, but McCulloch looks like being worth at least a call.
Unless Killie have got their act together and offered him something a little more concrete, that is.