Boab Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 LEE McCULLOCH was one of only a few Old Firm players to emerge from Sunday's showdown with pass marks. And the 30-year-old admits he is enjoying a new lease of life at Rangers after being converted to a holding midfielder in recent matches. Walter Smith decided to deploy McCulloch just behind Barry Ferguson and Pedro Mendes for their recent goal-less draw with Aberdeen at Pittodrie and he also occupied the same role during the recent glamour friendly with AC Milan. His biggest test, however, came at Parkhead last weekend. With the Ibrox club determined not to lose the match and slip five points behind the leaders, McCulloch was handed the task of offering the Rangers defence added protection for a deeper midfield role. advertisement Considering Celtic only carved out one chance of note - when Scott McDonald somehow failed to hit the target with a free header from just yards out - then he can be pleased enough with his contribution to the goal-less draw. For many of the Light Blue legions, seeing McCulloch playing in such a position might be something new. However, the player himself says he has played the role many times before. "I enjoyed playing in that midfield holding role," said McCulloch. "I played there against Aberdeen up at Pittodrie and also during the friendly with AC Milan. I feel I can influence the game more in there and it's nice to be back in the team again and trying to help the club pick up results. "I've not really played in the middle of the park that often since I joined Rangers at the start of last season, but I played there when I was down at Wigan. So, while it might be new to other people to see me playing there, it isn't actually unusual." McCulloch started off his career as a striker at Motherwell, but started to occupy deeper roles during his time down south. On arriving at Gers, he was initially deployed as a left midfielder and, while he is always happy to do his bit for the team regardless of where he is asked to play, he does admit that possibly didn't suit him in most domestic matches. At international level, Scotland have benefited from his ability in the air and, in a 4-5-1 formation, McCulloch can often offer a second out ball from defence as opposed to always aiming for the lone striker. But in most league games, when Rangers are attacking for large spells, and desperate for some creativity to unlock defences and with the midfield often packed with large numbers, a more natural wide player with pace and tricks would seem to be a better option. McCulloch, not surprisingly, agrees. He said: "There are certain matches where I feel I can influence the game when I'm playing wide on the left of midfield. "In European matches it can be beneficial to try and win headers and it has been the same in the past with Scotland. "But in SPL games when Rangers are going to be attacking most of the time then obviously it would be better to have someone with pace who can take people on. "That's not my game but, if I'm asked to play there, then all I can do is go out and give it my best shot. "However, I need to say I've enjoyed playing in defence and in midfield this season and I'm pleased to have come back into the side in recent weeks." McCulloch and Co. head to Station Park this evening to take on Forfar in the fifth round of the Homecoming Scottish Cup. And the Ibrox man is desperate to make sure his side avoid any slip-ups against the Third Division minnows. He said: "It's important we approach the game in the proper manner and make sure we work hard as a team. "I'm sure the Forfar players will be fired up for the game and this is a huge match for them, especially with the game also being live on Sky TV. But, from our point of view, we've just got to go out there and take care of our game. "We want to go all the way in the Scottish Cup. We've already managed to reach the final of the League Cup and we've got a huge game against Celtic at Hampden Park to look forward to next month and we now want to do the same in this competition. "The league, of course, is our priority, but that doesn't prevent you from doing well in the cup competitions." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boab Posted February 18, 2009 Author Share Posted February 18, 2009 In European matches it can be beneficial to try and win headers and it has been the same in the past with Scotland. I loved this quote, just for its pishness tactically as either us or Scotland rarely win the 2nd ball anyway on the 'knock-down' and Scotland/UK is probably the only place think a good thing to have a 'winger' who can win headers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_glasgow Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calderbear Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 If rent a quote got pass marks on Sunday they will be the only successful forward passes he made. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davey_RFC Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 In European matches it can be beneficial to try and win headers and it has been the same in the past with Scotland. I loved this quote, just for its pishness tactically as either us or Scotland rarely win the 2nd ball anyway on the 'knock-down' and Scotland/UK is probably the only place think a good thing to have a 'winger' who can win headers. Although you can't deny that Scotland lacks the technique most European nations can boast? They need to play to their strengths and if that's by playing the high ball and getting relative success out it then so be it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RFC999 Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 I thought he played quite well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_glasgow Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Lee waa very very average on sunday. mostly everyone was sh*t. thats why he got pass marks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papaguy51 Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 You won't find me creaming myself over McCulloch for not being as shit as we all thought. That's hardly an acclaim now, is it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShootSpeedKillLight Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 He was better than Ferguson at Pittodrie and the scumdome, which is really worrying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_glasgow Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 You won't find me creaming myself over McCulloch for not being as shit as we all thought. That's hardly an acclaim now, is it? really shows you what Smith is doing to us Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amac9 Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 I made a thread last night http://forum.rangersmedia.co.uk/index.php?...p;#entry3141510 I guess it was too good to be true Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueballss Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 LEE McCULLOCH was one of only a few Old Firm players to emerge from Sunday's showdown with pass marks. And the 30-year-old admits he is enjoying a new lease of life at Rangers after being converted to a holding midfielder in recent matches. Walter Smith decided to deploy McCulloch just behind Barry Ferguson and Pedro Mendes for their recent goal-less draw with Aberdeen at Pittodrie and he also occupied the same role during the recent glamour friendly with AC Milan. His biggest test, however, came at Parkhead last weekend. With the Ibrox club determined not to lose the match and slip five points behind the leaders, McCulloch was handed the task of offering the Rangers defence added protection for a deeper midfield role. advertisement Considering Celtic only carved out one chance of note - when Scott McDonald somehow failed to hit the target with a free header from just yards out - then he can be pleased enough with his contribution to the goal-less draw. For many of the Light Blue legions, seeing McCulloch playing in such a position might be something new. However, the player himself says he has played the role many times before. "I enjoyed playing in that midfield holding role," said McCulloch. "I played there against Aberdeen up at Pittodrie and also during the friendly with AC Milan. I feel I can influence the game more in there and it's nice to be back in the team again and trying to help the club pick up results. "I've not really played in the middle of the park that often since I joined Rangers at the start of last season, but I played there when I was down at Wigan. So, while it might be new to other people to see me playing there, it isn't actually unusual." McCulloch started off his career as a striker at Motherwell, but started to occupy deeper roles during his time down south. On arriving at Gers, he was initially deployed as a left midfielder and, while he is always happy to do his bit for the team regardless of where he is asked to play, he does admit that possibly didn't suit him in most domestic matches. At international level, Scotland have benefited from his ability in the air and, in a 4-5-1 formation, McCulloch can often offer a second out ball from defence as opposed to always aiming for the lone striker. But in most league games, when Rangers are attacking for large spells, and desperate for some creativity to unlock defences and with the midfield often packed with large numbers, a more natural wide player with pace and tricks would seem to be a better option. McCulloch, not surprisingly, agrees. He said: "There are certain matches where I feel I can influence the game when I'm playing wide on the left of midfield. "In European matches it can be beneficial to try and win headers and it has been the same in the past with Scotland. "But in SPL games when Rangers are going to be attacking most of the time then obviously it would be better to have someone with pace who can take people on. "That's not my game but, if I'm asked to play there, then all I can do is go out and give it my best shot. "However, I need to say I've enjoyed playing in defence and in midfield this season and I'm pleased to have come back into the side in recent weeks." McCulloch and Co. head to Station Park this evening to take on Forfar in the fifth round of the Homecoming Scottish Cup. And the Ibrox man is desperate to make sure his side avoid any slip-ups against the Third Division minnows. He said: "It's important we approach the game in the proper manner and make sure we work hard as a team. "I'm sure the Forfar players will be fired up for the game and this is a huge match for them, especially with the game also being live on Sky TV. But, from our point of view, we've just got to go out there and take care of our game. "We want to go all the way in the Scottish Cup. We've already managed to reach the final of the League Cup and we've got a huge game against Celtic at Hampden Park to look forward to next month and we now want to do the same in this competition. "The league, of course, is our priority, but that doesn't prevent you from doing well in the cup competitions." McCulloch, not surprisingly, agrees. He said: "There are certain matches where I feel I can influence the game when I'm playing wide on the left of midfield. lee i gave you credit on sunday mate, but your talking bollocks there mate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muff Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 He was decent on Sunday, nothing more, nothing less - it's still painfully obvious to see that he's not a defensive/holding midfielder. His positioning and they way he puts his team mates under pressure show this. He's only there due to the fact that Wally doesn't have full confidence in Ferguson - which is pretty poor management tbh. Two times he's played in that role, and on both occassions he been better than Ferguson, which says it all. But I guess McCulloch will feature a lot between now and the end of the season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simplythebest Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 He's been alright but it's no reason for him suddenly to be a regular in that role. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralCartmanLee Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 You won't find me creaming myself over McCulloch for not being as shit as we all thought. That's hardly an acclaim now, is it? Instead you could say he played well and you were all wrong he would be shit.... Depends which way you look at it i guess........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedWhiteBlue1872 Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 As long as we keep getting results i couldnt care who plays.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tumshie Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 it really pisses me off when average players keep coming out in the press sprouting a lot of pish. Guys like Maurice Ross and Charlie Adam are past masters at it. now it seems McCulloch is the new rent-a-quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 As long as we keep getting results i couldnt care who plays.... 'keep'? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 it really pisses me off when average players keep coming out in the press sprouting a lot of pish. Guys like Maurice Ross and Charlie Adam are past masters at it. now it seems McCulloch is the new rent-a-quote Don't be fooled. Lee McCee started all of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-Maestro Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Don't see anything that's wrong with what he said, just seems like now Adam is gone all the digs go to McCulloch. Some people would think McCulloch chooses the positions he plays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orangeclement Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Don't see anything that's wrong with what he said, just seems like now Adam is gone all the digs go to McCulloch. Some people would think McCulloch chooses the positions he plays. dont be silly, its SDM's fault Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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