Rangers need to be ‘united’, says Cammy Bell

Rangers goalkeeper Cammy Bell gets on the ball in training. Picture: SNS Group

The Light Blues have fought their way back from the bottom rung of Scottish football after their 2012 liquidation and hope to reclaim their top-flight spot through the Championship play-offs.

Keeper Bell believes his side will have a major advantage over rivals Hibernian and Queen of the South if they can pack out Ibrox.

However, skipper Lee McCulloch found out to his cost last week that the Rangers support are not shy to let loose with their frustrations from the stands if the team is not performing on the park.

The defender was booed by sections of the home fans last week after his mistake gifted Falkirk their second goal in a 2-2 Ibrox draw.

But Bell hopes the supporters will cheer instead of jeer as they prepare for the play-offs.

He said: “Jig’s (McCulloch) been fine since last week, he’s a professional at the end of the day. It was disappointing to hear that on Saturday.

“We go out as a team, we walk off as a team. We win and lose as a team, so I wouldn’t like to individualise anybody.

“Jig gives 100 per cent like every player does. Sometimes it doesn’t happen for players but that is football.

“He’s an experienced pro and he’s just got on with it. Hopefully our fans can stick behind us because we are going to need them for the rest of the season and I’m sure they will do that.

“You never want to hear that kind of thing for any player. The fans have got their own decisions to make on how they react but I’m sure there were a lot praising Jig too. We heard a lot of clapping after the booing.

“There are fans who respect Jig. He’s been a great servant for Rangers.

“I don’t think it has an effect on the other players though. We are all at a massive club and so we have to be able to take pressure and criticism.

“We are going to need the fans and I’m sure they will turn up in their numbers. If we can stick together I’m sure we can get promoted.”

Rangers face Hearts in their final regular season fixture on Saturday but unless they can topple the newly-crowned second-tier champions and Hibernian lose to Falkirk, they will have to play six matches to secure promotion.

But whatever the schedule, Bell is looking forward to Gers’ make-or-break May.

The former Kilmarnock stopper said: “We know how important this next month is going to be. If we get promoted it will be great.

“But we really need to push on to make sure that happens. Hopefully these next few matches we can build up some form.

“We all know that getting back to the Premiership is a massive, massive thing for the club and all the boys are focused and ready to go.

“The pressure doesn’t weigh me down. These are the games I look forward to. You sign for Rangers to play in these high-pressure games so I’m sure all the boys are the same as me - they are ready to prove themselves.”