IT is not quite a game of thrones, but Lee McCulloch wants Rangers to be crowned kings of courage in the coming weeks.

 

With Hearts already Championship winners, the Ibrox club and Hibs are the two great pretenders for a second-placed finish which brings with it the luxury of one less play-off match up.

Following their scrappy 1-1 draw over Livingston on Wednesday night, Stuart McCall's side currently occupy the slot by a point with just three matches remaining.

The forms of both teams has been hit and miss in recent weeks and Lee McCulloch has talked up the importance of mental strength in the battle for the upperhand going into the play-offs.

With Hibs now playing this weekend, victory for Rangers at Dumbarton tomorrow would give them not only a four-point lead but a psychological advantage over their east coast rivals.

It is a point the Ibrox captain is keen to force him to his team-mates.

He said: "We wanted all three points from Livingston. It didn't happen but we are still in second with it in our own hands.

"It's hard, of course it is when you are under pressure. It's the same in any job.

"But the fans have been superb. They've been with us all the way. It's the pressure we put on ourselves.

"We know where we want to be come the end of the season. So it's important we keep our focus and keep working hard for each other."

McCulloch added: "It's very important to go there [Dumbarton] and get the three points and put the pressure on them.

"It's all about the three points. It's a hard place to go too with the wind there but we've been there before and done well and we will looking for a repeat this weekend.

"We need to focus on all three points and that will put the pressure on the teams around us."