McCulloch proving a vital cog in the Rangers machine

Sports writer

Friday 26 October 2012

When Ally McCoist was asked how important it was for Lee McCulloch to stay injury free, he reacted with mock indignation.

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Richard Wilson

McCulloch has been an integral figure for Rangers this season, since he has settled into the role of being the team's most reliable influence.

Leadership comes naturally to a player whose experience and know-how is well-established. McCulloch was already integral before he was appointed club captain following Carlos Bocanegra's on-loan departure to Racing Santander in the final hours of the transfer window. It is, for instance, not outlandish to identify McCulloch as the team's most effective defender, central midfielder and striker. The only issue for McCoist is that he can only play him in one position at a time.

The Rangers manager joked about the versatility of Steven Whittaker, who could be moved from right-back to left midfield without any anxiety. The different accomplishments of McCulloch are less extreme, and he has not been used at centre-back for in a meaningful game this season, but he is essential to Rangers. As much as his experience, his streetwise nature, and his demanding professionalism are vital, his sheer ruggedness is also a defining characteristic.Some of the games in the third division have been physical encounters, and McCulloch is seldom inhibited. He tends to relish confrontations, and much of his play sets the tone for Rangers' performances. In some of the away games, McCulloch has been a lone source of defiance. His true value is his versatility, though, since he can shore up any central position."It's important for us that we have people like McCulloch who can play centre-forward, centre midfield or at the back," said McCoist. "Sebastian [Faure] can play at right-back or in the holding role, but he's younger and with nothing like the experience of McCulloch." McCulloch has scored 12 goals for Rangers this season, and while only his two in the 2-0 win over Queen's Park secured a victory, others have been crucial. He opened the scoring, for instance, in the League Cup victory over Motherwell last month. McCulloch sets standards not least because he, along with Lee Wallace, was the first senior player to commit his future to Rangers when so many of his experienced team-mates were refusing to allow their contracts to transfer over when Charles Green's consortium bought the business and assets from the administrators, Duff & Phelps.For the younger players, McCulloch is something of a talisman. Even for sup-porters, there is a sense of comfort in seeing one of their own at the forefront of the team. There must be a deep frustration to the player himself, though, when the current team – with its inexperience and uncertainty – falls short of the standards once taken for granted at Ibrox. This is a time of redevelopment, and McCulloch has a role in both guiding that process, and ensuring that the team stays true to expected levels of achievement and ambition.He is of most use as a striker, since Fran Sandaza is injured and Kevin Kyle is still regaining full match sharpness after a lengthy period of rehabilitation. There are other bullish figures capable of playing in central midfield, although Ian Black lacks McCulloch's domineering presence. The harsh truth for McCoist, evident in his response to the question, is that he could do with three versions of the same player. For now, though, he will have to make do with the goals and forcefulness that McCulloch brings to leading the line, as well as his authority in the dressing room.

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McCulloch proving a vital cog in the Rangers machine

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