HARIS VUCKIC today backed Rangers captain Lee McCulloch to brush off the abuse he was subjected to by his own fans and help the Ibrox club clinch promotion.

 

A mistake by Gers skipper McCulloch allowed Falkirk to score their second goal in an SPFL Championship match at Ibrox on Saturday.

And a small section of the Light Blues support in the main stand booed the centre half when he received possession shortly after that.

Rangers boss Stuart McCall revealed he was "saddened and sickened" by the reaction to McCulloch's error after the 2-2 defeat.

However, McCall insisted the 36-year-old wouldn't let it affect him as the Glasgow giants push for a place in the top flight.

And midfielder Vuckic is also confident the former Scotland internationalist will silence his critics after watching him respond well to the flak.

The boyhood Rangers fan nearly netted a late goal and was only denied by a save from Falkirk keeper Jamie MacDonald that McCall described as "world class".

Vuckic said: "It is always disappointing to hear supporters when they are booing their own team. But Lee is a professional and it won't affect him.

"He is a strong enough character to shake this off. He certainly did that against Falkirk on Saturday. He went up the pitch and nearly scored.

"I know that Lee will be able to understand the fans' frustration because he is a supporter just like they are.

"Lee wants to do well for this club every time he plays. He has been here for a number of years and has a deep affection for Rangers.

"But the positive aspect of the game at the weekend was that we turned the match around and got fans on our side again.

"We scored two good goals and got a draw that may prove to be important as we fight to finish second in the league. The fans got motivated and responded to that.

"He turned them around when he almost scored with his head and the fans clapped him again. I think he appreciated that and will be looking forward to the Hearts game.

"I am sure our captain will be a big player for us as we try to win promotion back to the Premiership."

Vuckic, who has been loaned to Rangers by English Premier League club Newcastle United, got the fightback against Falkirk underway when he headed home at a corner.

The Slovenian internationalist revealed it was the first header he had scored in senior football - and that it had given his confidence a huge boost ahead of the Premiership Play-Offs.

He said: "I couldn't really do my usual and cut in from the right to the left because there were always two or three players blocking me.

"But as a player you can't just have one power. You have to be able to score with your right foot and with your head as well.

"Now I have showed that I can score with more than my left foot. Most of my nine goals here have been with my left foot. But I am glad I have shown I can score with my head as well.

"I am looking forward to the game against Hearts at Tynecastle and with the games we have coming up in the play-offs after that. Hopefully I can score more goals and help Rangers win."