Lee McCulloch ready to step up to the plate, insists former teammate Kenny Miller

Kenny Miller knows former Rangers team-mate Lee McCulloch will have been prepared by his coaching spell at Kilmarnock as he gets set for a high-profile management debut.

McCulloch has been thrust into the hot seat for the William Hill Scottish Cup clash at Ibrox following the departure of Gary Locke.

The 37-year-old has leadership experience through captaining Rangers through some difficult years off the park, but Miller believes the recent months at Rugby Park will be invaluable.

Miller said: “The club went through harsh spells and he would always say he would concentrate on the football because he was a player.

“I think the last six or seven months will definitely have given him an insight into how a club runs, being on the other side of the fence.

“As an assistant manager you are going to be privy to pretty much every conversation the manager has with the club, so he will have a far greater understanding of what’s required now.

“I can only speak about Lee as a player. I always knew he wanted to move into that side of it, probably not as quickly as he has to now to be honest.

“It’s a tough position to be put into, when you’re assistant manager of a football club and the manager leaves and you’re asked to take over.

“It’s not ideal circumstances for him to take over, but I’m sure he will step up to the plate and deal with it. These opportunities to manage in the Premiership don’t arise every day.”