LEE MCCULLOCH admits he misses the buzz of life at Rangers - but insists he is loving his time in the dugout with Kilmarnock.

The 37-year-old left Ibrox at the end of last season after the Light Blues missed out on a place in the Premiership as they suffered a play-off defeat to Motherwell.

McCulloch was named assistant to Rugby Park boss Gary Locke earlier this summer and was joined in Ayrshire by former Gers team-mates Steven Smith and Kris Boyd.

The defender has just 41 minutes of action for Killie under his belt after suffering a knock on his debut against Ross County in August.

He is likely to have to settle for a place on the bench when Locke's side face Partick Thistle tomorrow afternoon aiming to build on their 0-0 draw with Celtic last weekend.

And he insists he is happy to let those in front of him play their part, even if it is taking some getting used to for the former Scotland international.

"I'm loving the new role," said McCulloch. "The manager has been superb to work under. He's always asking my opinion but I'm learning loads off him.

"I always said when I moved here that I would not try and keep people out of the team, especially if it's a young boy as the philosophy at this club is to bring them through and sell them on.

"We've got four fit centre-halves and four fit central midfielders so there's no reason to even be in and about the bench.

"So I'm just enjoying the new role. It's different (to playing for Rangers) and I wouldn't say it was a welcome change. I'm quite into the adrenalin side of it and I still miss it.

"But the coaching side is such a change and I'm relishing it. It will stand me in good stead for the future."