THE financial para- meters of the Mike Ashley era at Rangers remain to be seen but if the prudence and parsimony evident in his Sports Direct and Newcastle United empires are anything to go by, there may be little room for sentiment.

Thankfully, Lee McCulloch - recruited, in his past life at Wigan by Ashley's sportswear rival Dave Whelan of JJB Sports - has no intention of basing his negotiations for a contract extension beyond this summer upon mere nostalgia.

The 36-year-old has been an undoubted colossus in the Ibrox club's journey back from the bottom tier of the Scottish game, but anyone expecting him to bow out gracefully just as that process reaches its conclusion should think again.

McCulloch has fought off all rivals for his first-team place to play every minute of his side's 18 matches in all competitions to date and this season sees no reason whatsoever that such reliability cannot continue for at least a few years more, even if the Ibrox club return to the Scottish top flight this summer. Indeed, McCulloch spoke this week of emulating David Weir, who started a European qualifier against Malmo at the ripe old age of 41.

"David played in the Champions League at 41," said McCulloch. "That's some going. I'm well aware that when you get to over 30 people start asking questions about things like pace but I never had it anyway! You need to look after your body and set an example for the younger ones. David looked after himself and obviously was a good player too. You need a bit of luck as well.

"[My contract is] up at the end of the season so we'll just wait and see what happens then. I'm not really thinking about it now, I'm just concentrating on the games. I've not really spoken to anybody about it, but I think everybody knows I'd like to be here for a while. It's all down to how the team does and how I do personally. I've played every game this season and I feel great."

McCulloch has completed his coaching badge under the auspices of the SFA, but he is of the opinion that the bibs and cones are for those who are no longer able, or willing, to play. Like many sportspeople, he attends Bikram yoga classes to keep his body limber for the challenges of up to three games a week.

"Eventually, I'm very keen to do coaching, but as it stands I just want to concentrate on the playing side," he added. "You have to look at yourself in a different way, but I've played every minute of every game this season and I'm feeling good."

Since suffering that wounding 3-1 home reverse to Hibernian in the league, Rangers have exacted a measure of revenge on all opponents who have crossed their path. The single-goal victory over St Johnstone in the League Cup this week was the latest of five wins in a row, a period which, prior to yesterday, which had seen them score 13 goals and concede just once. Victory in their game in hand against Cowdenbeath at Central Park on Tuesday night would see the gap on Hearts trimmed to just four points and McCulloch concedes that there was something beneficial about the defeat to Alan Stubbs' side early last month.

"In a weird way, the Hibs result was what we needed," McCulloch said. "In the games since, we have started to have that edge to our play. It's been really enjoyable to be involved in and it's up to the players to keep it going. Did we need a jolt to the system? Maybe aye."

If McCulloch is the steady hand at the back - where he finally appears to have found a settled partner in Darren McGregor - the real star turn at Rangers recently is the lithe form of Lewis Macleod. The midweek strike from the 20-year-old midfielder - who not long ago had to opt out of full training due to a heart complaint - moved him on to seven for the season, including single-goal winners against Premiership outfits Inverness Caledonian Thistle and St Johnstone.

Whatever the rights and wrongs of the comparison between the player and Rangers legend and current coach Ian Durrant, McCulloch is merely determined that the player should remain at the club where he currently seems to be developing so well.

"Lewis is a great player to play with, a great boy and really level-headed," McCulloch said. "It's a pleasure to train with him every day. He's playing wide left, in the middle and the right. He can play anywhere across midfield and has a great understanding of the game. As long as he keeps his feet on the ground, as he is doing at the moment, he can do anything he wants.

"This is the best place for him to progress. Playing in front of 30-40,000 people every other week at his age is great for him. Some players don't start really playing regularly until 23 or 24. Lewis is doing that just now and should use that experience. I think the best thing for Lewis is to stay put for now."