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Lee McCulloch believes Rangers must stop Scott Brown to prevent Celtic winning title

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Former Rangers skipper Lee McCulloch says they must seal second spot in the Scottish Premiership to save an otherwise disappointing season.

Lee McCulloch believes Rangers will have to improve their pressing game and negate the threat of Celtic skipper Scott Brown if they are to prevent Brendan Rodgers’ side securing the Scottish Premiership crown in Sunday’s Old Firm derby at Celtic Park.

The sides met in the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup earlier in the month, with Celtic easing to a 4-0 victory at Hampden Park.

McCulloch believes Rangers must achieve the same spirit of togetherness shown by the Hoops this season if they are to spoil their rivals defending their crown.

"They need a little bit of hard work, togetherness and desire and they found out in the last Old Firm game they didn't really have that, [unlike] the togetherness of the Celtic team," he told Sky Sports News.

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"Tactics will only take you so far in a football match. The way Rangers pressed the ball wasn't aggressive enough, so we will see if there is any change to that.

"I think they will flood the middle of the pitch and will need to stop Scott Brown playing. He has been fantastic in all the Old Firm games this season and they will need to put someone on Scott to curtail him."

Despite having the opportunity to finish second in the table - Rangers are currently joint-second ahead of Aberdeen on goals-difference - McCulloch feels the lack of silverware means the campaign could go down as a disappointing one for Graeme Murty and his players.

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"It's been a disappointing season of you are a Rangers player," added McCulloch. "You are judged on success and there's been no success this season.

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Rangers boss Graeme Murty says he has received plenty of backing since they were beaten 4-0 by Celtic in the Scottish Cup semi-final.

"There have been no trophies and it's been 10 games since the last Old Firm victory and the league's been over since the split.

"It's so important they clinch second place, for season ticket sales next year and for a little bit of hope for the fans.

"They will also get a little bit of a break, the players who are going to be here next season, so it will set us up."

As for the future of manager Murty, McCulloch insists he has done well but feels he is unlikely to remain in the role beyond the end of the season.

"I think Graeme has done well. He has come in and made a difference and the teams in Scotland seem to be getting a little closer [to each other]," said McCulloch.

Preston North End manager Alex Neil during the Sky Bet Championship match against Derby County at Deepdale
Image: McCulloch believes Preston manager Alex Neil would be a good fit for Rangers in the future

"The Old Firm game before last [a 3-2 win at Ibrox in March for Celtic], Rangers fans were turning up at the game expecting to win and not just hoping to win but I think that last semi-final has proven there is still a gap to be filled.

"I don't think Graeme will be the manager next year. You've got the likes of Alex Neil and Steve Clarke, guys who know what the club is all about.

"For me, they would be my two candidates."

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