Did fans turn on Lee McCulloch after Rangers’ defeat in the last Old Firm game?

“The problem for McCulloch, I would contend, is that he left the pitch with his arm around Kris Commons’ shoulders.”

Lee McCulloch was booed by fans in all four Ibrox stands during last week’s 2-2 draw with Falkirk.

I can’t remember that ever happening before. Certainly not in all the years I played for the club, or while watching them since.

Lee is the captain of the team. Captains normally are people who command respect, not only from their fellow players but also from the supporters who recognise the important role they carry out.

That is a general rule of thumb, and one which particularly holds true at Rangers. So why has Lee become a target?

I believe this has been a while coming, and that it can be charted back to the club’s defeat in the League Cup semi-final at the beginning of February.

It was the first Old Firm derby in three years, and was much anticipated. On the day Celtic proved too strong, running out comfortable 2-0 winners.

The problem for McCulloch, I would contend, is that he left the pitch with his arm around Kris Commons’ shoulders. The two men were clearly sharing a joke, as they were both laughing.

Now that is a sight that is, in itself, unremarkable. Players are going to get on with fellow professionals at other clubs. But it infuriated many Rangers supporters.

They were able to accept Celtic being too strong for them on the day. Given the financial problems the Light Blues have been through, it was always the likeliest result.

That, though, didn’t stop it hurting. Hurting a lot, in fact.

So to watch their captain walk off arm in arm with one of Celtic’s scorers a player who could actually have joined Rangers had things worked out differently rankled. I think some supporters looked at Lee differently after that.

So when frustrations about other issues, such as the team’s continuing struggles on the pitch, boiled over and angry fans were looking for a target to vent their spleen on, he was the one they targeted.

In an ideal world people would always be judged on what their overall contribution has been.

Lee has given a lot to help Rangers make their way up through the lower leagues. But short-term problems can cloud people’s judgement.

And that is unlikely to change while Lee remains in his current role.