LEE McCulloch, the former Rangers captain who parted company with the Ibrox club last month, is set to return to Scottish football as player/coach at Ladbrokes Premiership club Kilmarnock.

 

McCulloch's contract with Rangers expired after the play-off final defeat to Motherwell at Fir Park and the centre half was not offered a new deal along with no fewer than 10 of his team mates.

Dave King, the major shareholder and chairman at Rangers, branded the group's displays in the 2014/15 campaign, when they went through three different managers and failed to win promotion to the top flight of Scottish football, as "inadequate".

However, Herald Sport understands the 37-year-old could be playing in the Premiership against Aberdeen, Celtic and Hearts next season after all having attracted the interest of Gary Locke at Rugby Park.

Locke believes the former Motherwell, Wigan and Scotland player's experience could be invaluable to his side as they bid to improve upon their disappointing showing last season when they finished third bottom.

McCulloch, who was drafted onto the first team coaching staff when Kenny McDowall took over from Ally McCoist as temporary manager back in December, is keen to move into coaching when he retires from playing.

The versatile player, who has been used in defence, midfield and in attack since joining his childhood heroes Rangers back in 2007, has taken his UEFA Pro Licence coaching qualification as he looks to his future.

McCulloch, who stayed at the Glasgow club when they were put in the Third Division in 2012, had hoped to lead Rangers into the Premiership and be handed an extension to his deal last season.

However, his performances often left much to be desired and he was booed by a section of his own support after being held responsible for the two goals his side conceded in a game against Falkirk at Ibrox in April.

Stuart McCall, the interim manager, dropped his skipper after that and only recalled him for the second leg of the play-off semi-final against Hibs, when he played three centre backs, and the second leg of the final against Motherwell, when Darren McGregor was suspended.

McCulloch joined Rangers, the team he had grown up supporting as a boy, in a £2.5 million transfer from Wigan in 2007 and helped Walter Smith's side reach the UEFA Cup final in Manchester his first season.

The 18-times capped player went on to help Rangers win the Scottish title three times under Smith and lifted the Third Division and League One trophies at Ibrox in 2013 and 2014 respectively.