Injuries dictated that the versatile McCulloch had to start at the back for Rangers' home tie with Peterhead, but even then he managed to make a nuisance of himself in the opposition box.

McCulloch's drive, energy, power and finishing mean that he is far more effective for Rangers in a midfield or forward position than he is in defence.

While it is understandable that a lack of bodies may mean he has to take the occasional shift defending his goal, it makes far more sense to play him in areas where he more likely to make a serious mark on the game.

In most games in the Irn-Bru Third Division, whether home or away, Rangers tend to dominate possession.

Having McCulloch in forward areas to capitalise on the chances that come from this possession makes sense – and has led to the captain netting 14 goals already this season.

It would be a waste to keep him at the back since Rangers spend most of their games on the attack.

DEFENSIVE KING says Richard Wilson

Ally McCoist may point to the 14 goals that McCulloch has scored this season, but there are legitimate reasons to consider keeping the Rangers captain at centre-back for the rest of the campaign.

He provides power, strength and experience as a forward, as well as his goalscoring touch, and Andrew Little had an off-day in his place against Peterhead last Saturday. Yet Little is a good player, Fran Sandaza is returning from injury, Kevin Kyle is regaining match sharpness and Kal Naismith impressed as a substitute.

Rangers have options which would allow McCulloch to bring his skill and leadership to the Rangers defence. Ross Perry and Emilson Cribari were injured last weekend, and McCulloch formed a reasonable partnership with Chris Hegarty. He could do the same with Perry or Cribari, and it would strenghten the Rangers defence.

He organised all of the players around him, and his ability to read the game would be a massive benefit to the club.