Rangers’ old guard have high hopes for the future

Lee McCulloch and Jon Daly believe Rangers are going places.

Rangers’ revenge over their Ramsdens conquerors Raith Rovers has set them up perfectly for Tuesday’s League Cup clash with Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Returning striker Jon Daly watched his teammates sparkle under the Friday night lights at Stark’s Park before being given a brief run out in the second half.

And he argues the quality of the football played in the 4-0 victory bodes extremely well for the clash with the high-flying Highlanders.

“This has given us massive confidence boost going into the Cup tie,” he said. “It was a very good team performance our tempo was much better and we shifted the ball about really well.

“In the end we scored four but it could easily have been more. Hopefully if we can produce another display like that on Tuesday we can get the good result we all want.

“Yes, Inverness are strong but we know we’re a good side and anything can happen in a one-off game. Without doubt though, it would be great to get through and put down a marker to show that is the level we are at now.”

Daly’s view was echoed by Lee McCulloch who made the 650th appearance of his career at Kirkcaldy.

The former Scotland internationalist played in 2012 when Caley Jags dumped Rangers 3-0 at Ibrox to advance to the semi-finals of the competition for the first time in their history.

“They deserved it because they were by far the better team on the night,” he said.

“Now, though, we are definitely in a better place and should give them a much harder time of it. Not that it won’t be a massive test for us. Yogi (John Hughes) has really put his stamp on the team and they have been flying this season.

“All his sides have always been organised and they always play good football. It doesn’t stop there either. They have goalscorers up front and quality throughout the side. But that is what you want.

“It will be a chance for us to show everyone just how far we have come. Hopefully we will go out and grab it.”

At 36 years old, McCulloch acknowledges he might not have too many chances left in the cup competitions but says it makes him relish his opportunity all the more.

“Listen, I know fine well it’s not going to go on forever so I need to try and cherish it and make it last for as long as I can. It has flown by. I sit and speak to my ex-teammates and mention things that happened and it seems like yesterday.

“It doesn’t seem long ago that I was with Wigan and coming through the leagues. All of a sudden I am here and I have the chance to help the club back to where they belong after everything that’s happened.

“I think I have done alright so far but I’m not finished yet.”