Kilmarnock assistant boss Lee McCulloch insists he is happy to remain in the Rugby Park shadows - even if he does miss the buzz of being Rangers skipper.

The former Ibrox captain joined up with Kilmarnock boss Gary Locke in the summer after agreeing a player/coaching role.

So far, though, he has mustered just 41 minutes for the Ayrshiremen after limping off on his debut - a 4-0 defeat by Ross County in August.

However, while the 37-year-old admits he still has a craving for the cut and thrust of action he does not plan on ousting any of Locke's charges from the starting line-up.

"I'm loving the new role," said McCulloch. "The manager has been superb to work under. He's always asking my opinion but I'm learning loads off him.

"I always said when I moved here that I would not try and keep people out of the team, especially if it's a young boy as the philosophy at this club is to bring them through and sell them on.

"We've got four fit centre-halves and four fit central midfielders so there's no reason to even be in and about the bench.

"So I'm just enjoying the new role. It's different (to playing for Rangers) and I wouldn't say it was a welcome change. I'm quite into the adrenalin side of it and I still miss it.

"But the coaching side is such a change and I'm relishing it. It will stand me in good stead for the future."

For the second time this season Kilmarnock held Celtic to a draw, grinding out a 0-0 Ladbrokes Premiership stalemate in Glasgow on Saturday.

McCulloch hopes that result will fire up the side for this weekend's Rugby Park clash with Partick.

He said: "We were coming off the back of two defeats so to go to Parkhead and get a point is brilliant for us. If you look at the clear-cut chances, we created just as many as Celtic, so that's a big compliment to us.

"To have drawn with Celtic twice says we're good against the big boys and not so good about the sides round about us.

"But that needs to change over the next two games. We've got Partick and Dundee United at home and these are games we need to take points from if we are serious about getting into the top six."

However, Locke's plans have been hit by the hamstring injury suffered by midfielder Rory McKenzie which will keep him out for a month.

"It's a big blow," said McCulloch. "Rory has done really well and been one of our more consistent performers.

"It's frustrating because we've had loads of injuries this season - I think we've had more than any other side. I don't know what the reasons are but we've just not been lucky. Hopefully that changes soon."