McCulloch promises his boss pay back
RANGERS skipper Lee McCulloch last night insisted the Ibrox players owe boss Ally McCoist a huge performance against Dundee United on Saturday. The manager has come under fire from angry supporters following last Sunday’s dismal extra-time defeat to Raith Rovers in the Ramsdens Cup Final at Easter Road. That result has heaped pressure on the League One champions ahead of this weekend’s Scottish Cup semi-final on home soil. And McCulloch is adamant the squad must repay their manager — and the Ibrox faithful — by battling Jackie McNamara’s Premiership outfit all the way in their biggest game of their season. ‘This weekend, the players obviously owe the manager for the support he has shown us — myself in particular over the past couple of years with administration and all that went on,’ said McCulloch. ‘It would be great to give him a bit back. The dressing room is right behind our manager. ‘Also, after the support we took to Easter Road last week, it would be great to give the fans something to shout about finally after a tough week for them. ‘We want to produce better results than we did last
week. That’s obvious. We owe it to each other as players, we owe it to the management and we owe it to the fans. ‘Hopefully, we can go and get that result at the weekend that we need. We are going to need men, we are going to need leaders and what a chance we have for players to show those attributes.’ Rangers could be without key man Lee Wallace through injury, but McCulloch remains convinced they can raise their game and overcome United. ‘I think we will need a bit of luck,’ he admitted. ‘If we put on a good performance and play to our capabilities, we will win the game. That is all we have got to think about, to play well and put on a show and hopefully get through to the final. ‘I think United are favourites. I have not checked or anything but I would imagine they are the bookies’ favourites — although with the expectation that comes with this club, we will be expected to progress.’ Meanwhile, former Rangers defender Christian Dailly claimed it was wrong for people to call
“We need to be men. We need to be leaders”
McCoist’s future into question. ‘I don’t think it should even be an issue,’ said Dailly, who started his career at Dundee United before later helping Walter Smith’s Rangers side to the 2008 UEFA Cup Final. ‘Who are you going to bring in? ‘What he’s had to go through and what he’s done with them is brilliant. They are trying to get up the leagues and he’s doing that. ‘They are getting there. It’s going to take a long time to rebuild. Ally is 24-7. ‘He would do anything to make sure people are right and that his club is right. That’s what I took from him when I was there. ‘It means so much to him and who would you get in that it would mean that much to them? It’s easy to forget and that’s why it shouldn’t even be an issue.’