Source: Team_Talk
McCulloch tips Fleck to shine
The young midfielder put in another impressive showing for the Gers in Sunday's goalless draw at Pittodrie .[LNB]Fleck, only 17, was a constant menace to the Aberdeen defence and McCulloch believes the youngster can go on and become an Ibrox favourite.[LNB]"He is a great outlet and has great ability," McCulloch said of the teenager. "We saw that in the first half with some of his runs and enthusiasm to get on the ball.[LNB]"He doesn't look out of place at all at this level and I think he is a great player with a big future. Everybody around the club and the media will have to be sensible with him and realise he is only 17.[LNB]"He is always asking you for ways in which he can improve. He works really hard in training and you can't really ask for more than that."[LNB]McCulloch made a surprise start for Rangers against Aberdeen with top scorer Kris Boyd dropping to the bench. The Ibrox side enjoyed most of the possession in a dull encounter but could not find the breakthrough.[LNB]With Celtic winning later in the afternoon against Hibernian, McCulloch admits Rangers cannot afford to drop any more points before next month's crucial Old Firm match.[LNB]"We were seven points behind not so long ago and we have cut that gap," he said. "It would have been good to go top. It wasn't to be but we won't give up.[LNB]"We have a tough game against Dundee United next week and we will need to concentrate on that because last time they came to Ibrox it ended three all.[LNB]"They are a tough team to play against so we will just gear ourselves up for that one and the Old Firm will look after itself."[LNB]Aberdeen boss Jimmy Calderwood claims Walter Smith's decision to drop Boyd in favour of a more defensive formation highlights how far the Dons have come this season.[LNB]"Walter showed us respect by coming here and lining up like that," said Calderwood. "It worked out really well for him though as Pittodrie has been a difficult venue for Rangers to come to in recent years.[LNB]"You have got to give Rangers credit because I thought they did well and to be honest we didn't deserve any more than a point."[LNB]The Dons have now taken 19 points from a possible 21 in their last seven matches at Pittodrie.[LNB]Calderwood said he was delighted that the ground was becoming a fortress for his team.[LNB]He said: "Our last three games at Pittodrie have come against Hearts, Celtic and Rangers and that is not exactly three of the easiest games in the world.[LNB]"Pittodrie has been packed for all three and it is good to keep the momentum going as we have a difficult game against Falkirk next week and then we go to Hearts.[LNB]"It is a massive period for us and I think the point we got today could be very important come the end of the season."[LNB]Calderwood was disappointed to have missed out on becoming the first Aberdeen boss since Sir Alex Ferguson in 1979 to lead the Dons to back-to-back victories over the Old Firm.[LNB]He added: "I would have been happy with six points out of six against the Old Firm to keep that man from Manchester a bit quiet but it wasn't to be."[LNB][LNB]
