LEE McCULLOCH doesn't see a glass with no water at all as being close to half empty.

The former Rangers captain knows his old team, the one he gave his all and the some, is far from where they want to be but, in his eyes, at least they are getting there.

Surely and, for him, a little too slowly. However, Big Jig has a good feeling about this Rangers side.

McCulloch, who played 303 games and scored 70 goals in his eight seasons at Ibrox, could see some positivity from Sunday’s defeat to Celtic, and also from what he has seen over the past two months when Ranger’ form did improve.

It’s what makes him think the good times might, at long last, be coming back.

McCulloch said: “It was great to see the Rangers fans create such a good atmosphere. It looked really hostile and that’s good. After half an hour, Celtic did come into it a lot more after what was a good start by Rangers.

“I am not so sure Celtic’s players are so much better than Rangers. For me, the timing of Celtic’s second goal more than anything affected the Rangers players. It was right on half-time, made it 2-2 and the moment the ball went in the net I thought ‘oh, no....here we go.’

“These goals do change games. Celtic went into the break on a high, whereas the Rangers would have felt down. Honestly, goals like that have a huge effect. You can even feel it in the stands.

"I just think the best is yet to come from this Rangers team.

“The British players coming in have helped. They know what it’s about. It's a wee bit similar to what Walter Smith did in 2007 when he brought in Steven Whittaker, Steven Naismith and myself. They knew at least how much this club means to the fans. Rangers are slowly on the right road.

“I think it’s has to be a busy summer for the board, Graeme and Mark Allen (director of football) because I would imagine there will be players going out and that means players going out.

“And, of course, I think they have the players to beat Celtic in the semi-final.”

That’s a whole load of positivity right there for any Rangers supporter feeling down in the dumps after the Old Firm game.

As McCulloch says elsewhere, Rangers under Graeme Murty have improved – the league table bears that out – although you could argue that is more to do with Celtic’s failing to pick up the points they did last season.

What the club do need, and this is inarguable, is more money. That means better players coming to the club and those already there who are good enough to take Rangers forward, and there are more than few, would be tempted to stay if other offers come in.

A way to bring in more income is the Europa League which might not have the riches of it’s big cousin, but the group stage could make as much as £10m for the club.

The problem, as if there’s just one, is that eight games, four ties, will have to be overcome for Rangers to get there. And that is no gimme. The first qualifier is on July 12. That will be here before anyone knows it.

McCulloch said: “That’s too much football. We used to go on pre-season around about that time.

“Graeme will be need to change the squad and get them ready for that first game, but that’s the life of a manager these days, I’m afraid.

“There was one summer we had three weeks of and Walter had hardly any time to get players in and out. So it’s not easy, but you need to get on with it. I would imagine they would be already preparing for the first qualifier now.”

McCulloch was at Ibrox to help promote the upcoming Legends game. The Rangers Charity Foundation and the Rangers Youth Development Company will share the proceeds from a match which should if nothing else be a giggle.

He said: “I am looking forward to getting the boots on again, getting on that pitch and seeing some of the former players and managers. I think it could be a better night out afterwards!

“There are a few fatties and a few fitties. Alex Rae and Barry Ferguson will be in good nick. It will be interesting to see some of the rest. Coisty will score. That’s a certainty. If there’s a penalty, he’ll be on it.

“It’s been ages since so many of us have been together. There are some I won’t have seen for a long time. I have been in contact with a lot of the boys but we haven’t met face-to-face for some time. It will be good to get everyone together and hopefully there will be a big crowd.

“And it will be great to see Nacho Novo, who is going to be one of the coaches, after everything he’s been through. It’s going to be a great day.”

The Legends Return, Saturday 24 March, 3pm, Ibrox Stadium. Tickets are priced at £12 for adults, £8 for concessions and £6 for juveniles.

A family package is also available for two adults and two children for £32.

Tickets can be bought online at rangers.co.uk, by visiting the Rangers Ticket Centre, or calling 0871 702 1972