Yogi: Title fears will hurt Gers
everything. He’ll be the one that will come in and have a go at everyone.
“He’ll do it to the full dressing-room at half-time before the manager does. He actually does the gaffer’s job.
“It’s not all about shouting and bawling. He’s got an unbelievable hunger and desire to win.”
When Rangers suffered a financial implosion in 2012, they were crying out for leaders in the dressing-room.
As the club staggered from one disaster to the next off the pitch, McCulloch had to step up and be counted.
But he says his job was made easier by having McGregor alongside him.
He said: “It was basically myself and Allan who spoke for the squad.
“The manager at the time, Al ly McCoist, was caught in between the players, the staff and administrators.
“Greegsy was brilliant to have by my side. We asked questions all the time and decided what to do.
“He took a bit of the responsibility off me, which was good. That speaks volumes for him.
“If you’re 1-0 down in an Old Firm game you want to know who’ll stand up for you and get you back in the game.
“You need to show character and that’s one thing Allan’s got.”
McCulloch played alongside former Manchester United keeper Roy Carroll and Ibrox legend Andy Goram – but rates McGregor as the best of the lot.
He sees no reason why he can’t play into his 40s but, before that, he’s got a title to chase as Rangers aim to halt Celtic’s domestic dominance.
And McCulloch reckons if his pal can pull this one off, it would top anything he has done in his career.
He said: “Greegsy was the best I played with, for his all-round package. You’d have him in the trenches with you.
“He’s as important to Rangers now as Goram was back in the days under Walter Smith, 100 per cent.
“That’s because his mental strength is phenomenal. I remember he made a mistake in an Old Firm game at Ibrox that allowed Badr El Kaddouri to score for Celtic.
“But Greegsy just brushed it off, which is a hard thing to do.
“He went on to have a brilliant second half and that just tells you everything about him.
“Could he be a manager one day? He could definitely hold a dressing-room so I don’t see why not.
“He could be a coach or a manager but I don’t see why he can’t play to 40.
“You can see his body shape, he has lost weight and Allan is maybe as fit as he has ever been.
“It’s just whether he’s still agile enough and, on the evidence of recent weeks, you could definitely say he is.
“He has the desire to play on to 40 and maybe even beyond that.
“And if Rangers win this title, I think he’d probably say it was his best one ever.”
McCulloch was speaking at an event organised by William Hill, the proud sponsor of the Scottish Cup.
Sunday Mail 65
John Hughes knows exactly what it’s like trying to stop nine in a row – and failing.
And he insists the size of the task will be preying on the minds of Rangers’ players.
The former Celtic stopper was on the receiving end as Walter Smith’s legends racked up the final two of their titles in the 90s.
Last week Ibrox boss Steven Gerrard described halting Celtic’s charge to be the first to reach 10 as an “obsession”.
And while Yogi believes the England legend has what it takes to deny the Hoops their dream, he’s still convinced Neil Lennon will get the job done.
Hughes said: “When I was at Celtic we lost to Rangers once in the league and still didn’t win it.
“Tommy Burns brought in the likes of Paolo Di Canio, Jorge Cadete, Andy Thom and Pierre van Hooijdonk but there’s pressure at the Old Firm.
“It can either empower you or drag you under. A lot of boys can’t handle it. You have to embrace it and play to your best under that – all the top players can do it.
“At the time Rangers had guys like Andy Goram, Richard Gough,
Paul Gascoigne, Michael Laudrup and Ally McCoist – they were all winners.
“I drove in every day with Gordon Marshal l and Jackie McNamara and we were all well aware about how important it was to stop Rangers making history.
“Now, just like us in the 90s, Rangers won’t talk about it – but it will be on their minds.”
Ultimately, Hughes believes one man earned Rangers their nine – and he reckons one man can stop Celtic doing it for a second time.
Yogi said: “The reason Burns never won the league was Goram.
“Now Rangers have Al lan McGregor and he was outstanding at Parkhead, saving a penalty.
“The big players do something special in the big games and McGregor did that.
“But Ger rard is set t i ng standards as well – he has a level and he is trying to drag players up with him.
“I’ve spoken to Scotty Arfield a few times about Steven’s training and he raves about it.
“But obviously with my ties, I’d like to see Celtic win nine and 10. I can see it going all the way to the wire though.”
Hughes was speaking at an event organised by William Hill, proud sponsor of the Scottish Cup.