KENNY MILLER is confident Lee McCulloch can embark on a successful career in management as he prepares for his Ibrox baptism of fire.

The former Rangers skipper will take charge of Kilmarnock for the first time as he looks to knock the Light Blues out of the Scottish Cup this weekend.

McCulloch spent eight years with his boyhood heroes and was involved in some memorable triumphs for the Gers as he lifted ten honours and reached the UEFA Cup final.

His time at Ibrox came to a disappointing end last season, though, as he captained the side that finished third in the Championship and missed out on promotion back to Scotland’s top flight.

McCulloch has been thrust into the managerial spotlight following the departure of Gary Locke from Rugby Park on Saturday and Miller knows the 37-year-old will be determined to make his mark on the other side of the white line.

He said: “He has put the work in over the last five or six years to get all the qualifications that he needs.

“He always knew he wanted to go into coaching or management but it has maybe been thrust into his lap a bit earlier than he had hoped.

“But these things happen and you have to deal with it. I am sure he will do great.

“He has been on all the courses, he knows what it is about and he is as prepared as he can be.

“I have known Jig for a long time. I spoke to him a lot about this kind of stuff and you could tell he was passionate about going into the next level after he finished.

“The job has maybe been thrust on him earlier than he would have liked but I am sure he will embrace it and will be looking forward to the challenge.

“He has been the captain of the football club and when he was sat in front of you here he would have said ‘I am just concentrating on football and not what is going on off the field’.

“He has been through the highs and the lows and everything involved at this football club. He will be prepared for anything.

“I am sure even the six, seven months he has had as an assistant to Lockey will have given him an insight into what the game is like on the other side of the fence.”

McCulloch and several of his team-mates came under fire from supporters during an embarrassing campaign at Ibrox last term before chairman Dave King claimed the Gers ‘failed miserably’ under Ally McCoist, Kenny McDowall and Stuart McCall.

Killie will also have Steven Smith and Kris Boyd in their ranks for the cup clash tomorrow and Miller knows they will be disappointed at how their Gers careers came to a close.

He said: “It wasn’t a great way to finish for any of the lads that left the club last season.

“We all know that was a poor season by Rangers’ standards and anyone that left at the end of the season won’t be happy with how they left.

“Jig, having been through the successful years and staying with the club through the relegation to the bottom league and winning the leagues, I am sure he probably envisaged leaving the club on a higher note.

“It wasn’t great, but it wasn’t great for any of us. Guys left and guys are still here and you look back at last year and we want to right that wrong.

“I am sure he will [find it difficult coming back]. It is eight years he was at the club and that is a long time.

“When you captain a club like this, it definitely leaves a mark and he is a Rangers fan as well. I am sure he is looking forward to it because it is the next stage in his career and you have got to start somewhere.

“It is just a coincidence that he has to come back to the club he captained for years and had so many good times at.”