Celtic now title 'favourites' but we're ready for the challenge, says Lee McCulloch

Made in the euphoria of the semi-final win over St Johnstone, the comment may have been a joke but there is a degree of sincerity to it. There is something impressive in the way they have continued to grind out results.

"It just shows the strength of character we've got and the confidence we've got in each other," he explains. "We've got a lot of players in there with the right mindset who don't like getting beat and that goes a long way."

With a paucity of depth to the Ibrox squad and a distinct lack of movement in the transfer window, McCulloch believes Rangers will still face a real tussle with their Old Firm rivals before the campaign is ultimately settled. He says Celtic's loss to Kilmarnock midweek was a surprise, but adds that the quality of their new signings renders any thought of complacency in the Rangers ranks redundant.

"We did expect them to win that game with bringing in eight players when we didn't bring any in. They're the ones in a position of strength, not us; although we've got a ten-point gap, in a weird way I see them as favourites. We won the league last year, we know how to win it now, but it's still a dangerous gap to have and with the squad they've got I see them as favourites."

While he knows the new Celtic additions could make things tighter at the top, he says no one at Rangers is intimidated by the calibre of Robbie Keane et al.

"It doesn't worry you, that's what they've chosen to do, we just need to get on with it and stick together. If anything it'll bring us closer together and make us more determined to get some success this season. We're already in one cup final and in a healthy position in the league, but it's not done and dusted. You could say Keane is a world-class player so obviously they're going to get stronger with the players they've got. It gives us a challenge, but it's one we're going to have to take up.

"But nothing's won yet. We've a lot of games left with a small squad so the legs could get heavy and the gaffer finds it hard to rotate the players."

McCulloch has helped ease a few personnel problems for his manager Walter Smith this season due to his versatility. Able to deputise in defence or forage away up front, the 31-year-old has played his biggest role in a central midfield berth. Given Barry Ferguson's squad number in the summer, the Scotland international has been revelling in the greater expectations.

"I've played more games this season than I would have thought at the end of the last one. I think the predicament that the club is in has probably helped me. I've seen big Davie Weir saying that as well, the fact we can't bring anyone in, it's probably helped the number of games we've both played. I've played a new position this season, and felt I've done all right and I've enjoyed it.

"Obviously the captain (Barry Ferguson] left and you get asked to take his number. I'm obviously not filling his shoes because I'm not good enough to do that, but I think it brings a responsibility when a player like that goes and you're asked to play in the same sort of position, even though I'm a totally different player to him.

"I've enjoyed the responsibility and hopefully I can get to stay in the team and keep playing. This is the most I've contributed as a Rangers player and the most consistent I've been. When you're out wider, you need a little bit of pace, I think I've done all right in the middle of the park. I just want a bit of success."