EXITING LOT CAN REVEL IN FAREWELL JIG
LEE McCULLOCH has come up with the perfect farewell present for Rangers’ departing players to leave behind... hope for next season.
Ibrox manager Philippe Clement has already announced he’ll be overhauling his squad in the summer, with six players out of contract and a number of loans up.
Regulars such as 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 at Hampden.
And Jig reckons those staying put can benefit from a boost in confidence a second trophy of the season would bring.
The former Light Blues captain said: “Saturday is a big game. Obviously it’s disappointing the team didn’t get over the line and win the league.
“But 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 beaten by Kilmarnock under a previous regime, the fans really weren’t happy.
“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 it would be the perfect chance 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.”
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 added: “Rangers still have a lot of very good players, match-winners, in their team and it would be foolish to write them off.
“There shouldn’t be any fear. Form goes out the window in cup finals.
“Rangers have Cyriel Dessers on form, you’ve got Dujon Sterling in the middle or out wide or at full-back who can fill in.
“There’s a tremendous keeper in Jack Butland. You’ve got the captain in James Tavernier who can score from everywhere. There are positives there.
“Sometimes it’s easy to forget about those positives but the manager will be reminding the squad just how good they can be.”
McCulloch was speaking as he met pupils attending the Rangers Charity Foundation’s Scottish FA Extra Time programme at the Ibrox Community Complex.