Source: Team_Talk
McCulloch takes heart from United draw
ee McCulloch insists Rangers will draw confidence from their draw against Manchester United when they tackle Valencia in the Mestalla.[LNB] Walter Smith's ultra-defensive 5-4-1 formation may have prompted mixed reviews but had the desired effect as the Scottish champions left Old Trafford with a precious point after earning a goalless draw against the Group C favourites.[LNB]Since then, the system has helped them take all three points against Turkish champions Bursaspor and a draw that could very easily have been a victory against Valencia had they taken their chances at Ibrox.[LNB]They now face the Spaniards at the Mestalla in a match that could go some way to determining second place in the group and, with five points secured already, McCulloch sees no reason to approach the match with trepidation.[LNB]"We have taken confidence from all the games in the Champions League so far," he said.[LNB]"We have done well with a different formation, we have gelled well in that formation and put on good performances at times. We have also looked sound defensively.[LNB]"We go into this game with confidence and we look forward to it."[LNB]Rangers spurned several chances against Valencia in Glasgow and, with the onus on their hosts to come out and attack on home soil in this match, McCulloch believes the Ibrox side could snatch a win this time.[LNB]He said: "Being the home team, I think they will be looking to take the game to us and set up to attack a bit more than they did at Ibrox.[LNB]"With the formation we have been playing, we have shown we can defend and nick a goal at the other end.[LNB]"We know it's going to be tough. They are a quality team and we just hope it goes okay on the night."[LNB]Meanwhile, McCulloch is keeping his fingers crossed that fellow midfielder Maurice Edu is passed fit for the match.[LNB]The American was forced out of the weekend draw with Inverness with a calf injury and has been rated doubtful, along with Vladimir Weiss who has a heel problem.[LNB]Edu netted against Unai Emery's men in the last game, before scoring an own goal to hand them a share of the points, and McCulloch believes he has a big part to play again.[LNB]He said: "He's an important player and he has started the season well. He fits into the system that we play really well so we are just hoping he makes it."
