It was little surprise, then, that when Ally McCoist's side needed a saviour on Sunday at Brechin, it was McCulloch who would step forward and answer the call of duty.
His extra-time winner at Glebe Park handed the Gers a crucial victory in the Ramsdens Cup as their journey back to the top of Scottish football began in low-key fashion.
The 34-year-old has won eight major honours during his illustrious Ibrox career, but the next one could prove the sweetest after he committed his future to the club for their Irn-Bru Third Division campaign.
By the time the summer transfer window slams shut, and Rangers' player registration embargo comes into force, McCoist's side could differ dramatically from that which took to the pitch against the Hedgemen.
McCulloch is likely to be one of the first names on the Gers manager's teamsheet throughout the campaign, however, and former Ibrox hero Alex Rae is confident the midfielder will lead by example for the Light Blues.
"Lee has had a lot of success during his career at the highest level and he has made the decision to stay with Rangers on this journey," Rae said.
"He loves the club, as you could see on Sunday. We are going to need experienced heads to get us through the trying times we will face over the next few years.
"Lee has played in the Premiership and won numerous titles with Rangers, so he knows what it is all about.
"Lee will always lead by example, on and off the park. He is going to need all of his guile and experience.
"He has been very successful since he came back to Rangers after having a good career down in England.
"Hopefully he can stay injury-free. He is a year older but he seems to be in good condition.
"The players and the management staff will be delighted to be back playing football. They will want to get things settled down and focus on the job in hand.
"They will still have the same expectations from the fans, they need to get out of the Third Division this season and hopefully back to where they belong as soon as possible."
McCulloch may have led by example at Glebe Park but it was defender Carlos Bocanegra who skippered the side as Rangers took a step into the unknown.
The American has chosen not to follow several of his former team-mates out of Ibrox in recent weeks and, as revealed in SportTimes yesterday, he has not ruled out staying with the Gers this season.
McCoist's decision to hand the former Fulham and St Etienne star the captain's armband surprised many fans, the majority of whom would have given McCulloch the honour on Rangers' big day.
Rae reckons Boca was the right man for the job, however, and insists McCulloch doesn't need the armband to prove his commitment to the cause as Gers count down to the start of the Third Division campaign and the start of their fight back to the SPL.
"I wasn't surprised that Carlos got the armband on Sunday," he said. "He has got more than 100 caps for the United States and played at the highest level.
"I think his application has been exceptional since he came to Rangers.
"When Walter Smith came back to the club, it was important that they got away from the Paul Le Guen era.
"They started to integrate a lot of Scottish boys, like McCulloch, into the club again and brought in players who knew the history and tradition of Rangers.
"You need the right balance, though, and hopefully by giving Bocanegra the captaincy that means he is going to stay for the rest of the season.
"The more guys you have like Bocanegra and McCulloch the easier the task will be.
"It will be a cup final every week for Rangers, all of the Third Division teams will raise their game. You need experienced players to help you get through any league."
Bocanegra and McCulloch weren't the only seasoned stars on show for McCoist on Sunday, with the Gers boss able to field Neil Alexander, Kirk Broadfoot, Dorin Goian, Lee Wallace and new arrival Ian Black against Jim Weir's side.
Youngsters Barrie McKay and Lewis Macleod were handed starts, while returning striker Andy Little capped the occasion with a well-taken goal.
McCoist will have to place his faith in the brightest talents to emerge through the crested gates of Murray Park this season, but tried and tested stars will also be sought as he attempts to lead Rangers through the divisions.
Rae said: "I thought the young players did well on Sunday. That is what it is going to be like for Rangers, they will need young players to come in and play.
"The manager has a month to bring bodies in and I am sure there will be a few signings before the embargo kicks in.
"Players will be given long-term contracts and the manager will look to get experienced players in."
