McCulloch sets contract challenge

Rangers skipper Lee McCulloch has told his out-of-contract team-mates they had better start performing for Stuart McCall - because their previous displays are not worth new deals.

The former Motherwell boss was drafted in to replace Kenny McDowall for the final 11 games of the season on Thursday as Gers' new board tries to salvage their faltering promotion bid.

The midfielder will make his bow as Rangers manager when they face Livingston at home on Saturday.

But McCulloch admits the weekend line-up could be vastly different to the one which limped to a lame 1-1 draw with Queen of the South in the Championship on Tuesday.

The captain is one of 12 players who will be free to leave come the summer - but so far, he claims none deserve to stay.

McCulloch said: "I definitely get the impression that no one is guaranteed to play and that is a good thing. It will be a clean slate.

"Stuart knows a lot of the players so we will wait and see what happens tomorrow. But it gives a good opportunity to the lads who haven't been playing to give him ideas.

"There are 12 guys out of contract and they should have a point to prove because I don't think anybody is deserving of a new one to be honest with you.''

McCall's first act as boss was to cancel the players' Thursday day off as he called them in for a snap training session.

And he has already decided their fitness reserves need boosting.

But both manager and captain insist Rangers will look sprightlier once their confidence levels return.

"A lot of people are saying we are not fit enough as a team,'' said McCulloch.

"Maybe so with some of the games we have played.

"But when you are low in confidence a lot of nerves can zap a lot of energy.''

McCall agreed, adding: When you get to this stage in the season you should be at peak fitness. But if you are playing with no confidence, you do look like you have lead boots on.

"But once that confidence comes back, you will be flying over the ground.

"That will come down to improving results. If that happens, confidence rises and then this club can get back to where it belongs.''

McCall's appointment was a whirlwind process - with final confirmation coming just an hour after McDowall was relieved of the caretaker role he had held since former boss Ally McCoist was pushed out by the former regime in mid-December.

The 50-year-old has a massive task ahead of him if he is to steer a side that has won just three of its last 10 games to the end-of-season play-offs.

But he revealed the new board running the club are taking a hands-off approach to the football department for now.

He said: "I haven't even met or spoken to Dave King yet. I've spoken to Paul Murray on the phone and met John Gilligan the other day. I've been left to get on with it, which is great.''

Interim chairman Murray admitted he could smell the stench of despondency still lingering round Ibrox and the training ground even after King's successful boardroom coup last Friday.

But McCall - used to working with meagre resources at Fir Park - is excited about the scope of his new workplace.

"All I can see is fantastic facilities and great training pitches,'' he said as he started his second day at Murray Park.

"I've been lost in here three times already, the place is so big.

"Everything is fantastic but granted, I'm talking about me because I've not been used to this.

"They have these little things round their chests that tell them how far they have run. I know every club has that but I've not. All these little things help.

"But I've not had a chance to think about deeper things. My first priority is to get a team on that park tomorrow that can get a victory.''