Rangers boss Stuart McCall insists Lee McCulloch is not 'undroppable'

Rangers manager Stuart McCall has rubbished suggestions that club captain Lee McCulloch is 'undroppable'.

The former Motherwell and Wigan midfielder, who has been playing at the heart of the Championship side's defence this season, has come in for criticism from a number of fans over his performances in recent weeks.

Five successive draws have seen Rangers fall six points behind Hibs in the race for second place, and ahead of Sunday's Sky Live meeting between the sides at Easter Road, McCall has been forced to deny reports McCulloch has a clause in his contract stating he must play if fit.

The captain is always important but it doesn't mean to say he is undroppable as was suggested. So he needs to lead from the front.

"Of course the captain is a leader but we need more leaders on the pitch," McCall said. "Going back to my day we had seven, eight or nine captains on the pitch.

"The captain is always important but it doesn't mean to say he is undroppable as was suggested so he needs to lead from the front. But we need to all be captains and take responsibility."

And McCall admits his side face a tough task to halt their recent slide against the division's in-form side at the moment.

Hibs have won all but one of their last nine matches while Rangers have taken three points in just one of their last nine, a run which has seen Alan Stubbs' side assume favouritism in the race for second spot behind Edinburgh rivals Hearts, who can secure the title if results go their way this weekend.

"We know how the three games against them this season have gone," said McCall, who has presided over two home draws - against Livingston and Alloa - since taking over the reins at Ibrox last Friday.

"Hibs have a massive advantage and if we are going to succeed in what our aim is, which, as I say, is getting promoted, then there is no doubt we will be meeting Hibs in a two-legger at some stage.

"So, yes, we have to go and put in a performance. Their confidence is high while ours is a little bit fragile at the moment. But I have seen enough from the other night (a 2-2 home draw with Alloa) and in training this week, that the lads will be ready to go and put a show on.

"Again, as I keep saying, it's easy to talk about it but we've got to do it. But we will be ready."

Watch Hibernian take on Rangers live on Sky Sports 3 from 12.30pm on Sky Sports 3 this Sunday