McCulloch: Administration no excuse

Lee McCulloch said Rangers players are not feeling sorry for themselves in light of the club’s administration and subsequent poor results.

The reigning Scottish champions have won just two of their last six games and are set to face Celtic in the Old Firm derby at Ibrox on Sunday.

If they lose to their bitter rivals on Sunday it would be the first time in the club’s 140-year history that Rangers have lost four games in succession at home.

When asked by reporters if the side consider themselves a ‘wounded animal’ due to their off-field problems, McCulloch replied: “I don’t think so.

“That would be us feeling sorry for ourselves and I don’t think you’re allowed to do that here and we’ve certainly not got the players that would do that.

“We are always looking to the next game to see if we can keep a run going or bounce back from a bad result. We are definitely looking forward to this game.”

Since plunging into administration, the club has seen players leave and wages reduced as part of cost-cutting measures, but the central midfielder insisted the squad remains aware of what is required of them on the pitch.

“I don’t think we will use (the administration) as an excuse or have been using it as an excuse,” McCulloch said.

“We are paid to play football and that’s what we should concentrate on.

“Everything else is out with those in the dressing room’s hands so we’ve just got to concentrate on playing football and trying to pick up points again.

“After everything that everyone has gone through, there isn’t a better time to get back on track.”

If third-placed Motherwell fail to beat Kilmarnock on Saturday, Celtic will be able to clinch the league title at the home of their rivals.

McCulloch said: “It will be a big game anyway regardless of the Motherwell result.

“Our mind-set is just all about what we do, it’s all about us.

“We are looking forward to the game, we know it’s going to be a tough game.

“Our results have not been great of late so we need to put that right – hopefully starting on Sunday.”