McCulloch relishing McCoist regime

21 June 2011 17:45
Rangers midfielder Lee McCulloch is well aware that he and his team-mates will not be getting an easy ride under their new boss Ally McCoist.[LNB] A new era begins at Ibrox next season under the Light Blues legend who has moved up from assistant boss following the departure of Walter Smith.[LNB]Over the years McCoist has earned a reputation as a happy-go-lucky character but McCulloch, 33, says the Gers squad has already discovered that the former Rangers striker can be a disciplinarian as much as a comedian.[LNB]"The boys in the dressing room definitely know there is another side to him," said McCulloch, who admitted McCoist had been his boyhood hero.[LNB]"It's not all just laughs and smiles.[LNB]"I was taken aback when I first saw his other side, just like the rest of the boys.[LNB]"It's not nice - put it that way.[LNB]"I saw it at half-time in a few games where we have not started well, and after games.[LNB]"I always thought that being as successful as he was as a player, winning the trophies he won and scoring the goals he scored, that there has got to be another side to him.[LNB]"I heard some stories from when he played, and he used to dig out players like Laudrup and Gascoigne and was nearly fighting with them.[LNB]"That just shows you what a fighter and winner he is.[LNB]"The majority of the boys in the dressing room have seen that side to him so he has total respect."[LNB]McCulloch is hoping Craig Whyte's recent takeover of the Ibrox club will allow McCoist to build on three successive SPL title wins under Smith.[LNB]"It's a challenge and we are looking forward to it," the former Scotland player said.[LNB]"For the first time in a little while the club maybe has a bit of money and the chance to bring in some players is welcomed by the players already there.[LNB]"So I think it is exciting times ahead for everybody.[LNB]"The league is all that matters this season and anything else we can get with that will be a bonus.[LNB]"But the pressure at Rangers means you have to win every game."[LNB]McCulloch has two years left on his contract and he is determined to enjoy the rest of his time at Ibrox. "I know that I am at an age where it is going to come to an end sooner than I would want it to," the former Motherwell and Wigan player said.[LNB]"But I feel good, I feel fit, and I feel as if I have a good few years in me.[LNB]"I don't know what the future holds, it's all about trying to get in the team this season and trying to do well.[LNB]"So I will be giving it my all to try to win silverware before I go out."

Source: Team_Talk