LEE McCULLOCH has called on the Rangers supporters to be patient with the new management team of Mark Warburton and Davie Weir – and they will get their rewards.

The former captain was one of 11 players released at the end of a miserable Championship campaign for Rangers where they employed three managers against a backdrop of a battle for the boardroom and failed to win promotion.

Most of them – McCulloch included – were panned by new chairman Dave King for under-performing and also got it in the neck from supporters.

Nicky Law expressed his sympathy for McCulloch in particular in yesterday’s Evening Times.

However, the ex-skipper, who is now assistant coach/player at Kilmarnock, says he is determined to remember the good times and certainly wishes Warburton and old mate Weir well as they seek to rebuild the Light Blues.

McCulloch, who said he turned down a couple of manager’s jobs and playing contracts to join Killie, revealed he has spoken to the pair about their Rangers plans and he likes what he heard.

But he insists the Rangers supporters must give them time to implement all of their ideas.

He said: “I did have a chat with them and what they’re going to do over there seems exciting.

"In my opinion, though, they’re going to need a little bit of time because they’re going to totally revamp the club, including the way the team has played in the last three or four years.

“Hopefully, the fans will be patient with them because I’m 99 per cent sure that they are going to get it right and have that club challenging again.

“I know that time is something you don’t tend to be given at either half of the Old Firm but, after what the Rangers fans have been through, I think they know that the directors have made the right appointment.

“Stuart McCall came in at the latter part of last season and did really well. He’s a fantastic manager but I think that Mark and David will put their own stamp on the club.

“They have new ideas and Rangers will now be playing modern-day football. That itself is something that takes time and the educated fans will appreciate that and respect that.”

So far there have only been three new recruits at Ibrox with Danny Wilson returning and being joined by fellow centre back Rob Kiernan and keeper Wes Foderingham.

Full-back Reece Wabara and midfielder Andy Halliday are on trial while former Hearts midfielder Jason Holt will also be looked at in the coming days.

Some supporters are expressing concerns about the lack of transfer activity, but again McCulloch says patience is the buzz word.

He said: “I think that’s maybe just the management not rushing in and signing the wrong players. There are still good players out there that they can get.

“Kilmarnock’s done their business pretty early and I’m delighted with the signings we’ve made: we’ve brought in some great players.

“With regards to Rangers, you would need to ask Mark. He will have his signing targets and he’ll probably be pursuing them right now.”

McCulloch was the boyhood fan who lived the dream at Rangers and although the last season was tough he has nothing but good things to say about his old club.

He said: “Overall, though, I had eight fantastic years at the club, winning five league titles and five cups.

“I won a place in the Hall of Fame and played in the Uefa Cup final as well as being captain for a good few years so I’m not looking back with any negativity.

“This is the first chance I’ve had to thank the Rangers fans for all the support I’ve had from them.

"I always gave 100 per cent when I played and, although some performances were good and others were bad, I’ve no regrets about my career there and I wish the club all the best.

“I’ve been a lifelong fan and they’re still close to my heart. It’s a place I love and I have fantastic memories which I’ll take to my grave but this is a new chapter for me.”

McCulloch worked closely at Ibrox with former boss Ally McCoist and having seen what he went through and how he handled it over three tortuous years he believes it will be an aid to his coaching career at Kilmarnock.

He added: “Hopefully that will help me. He was a man mountain when it came to shielding the players – and he’s getting a bit of stick now.

“The players probably didn’t realise how much he was shielding them and it was only when he left that the players became wide open.

“Ally was a fantastic guy and a fantastic man-manager. It was sad to see him go.

“Kenny came in and then Stuart came in and it was just a season that wasn’t to be.

“But that’s all in the past now. The players who have remained there need to move on and do better and the players who have left and signed for new clubs need to move on and focus on themselves.”

Readers who submit articles must agree to our terms of use. The content is the sole responsibility of the contributor and is unmoderated. But we will react if anything that breaks the rules comes to our attention. If you wish to complain about this article, contact us here

Readers who submit articles must agree to our terms of use. The content is the sole responsibility of the contributor and is unmoderated. But we will react if anything that breaks the rules comes to our attention. If you wish to complain about this article, contact us here