Rangers legend Lee McCulloch is set for an extended stay in the opposition dugout at Ibrox after signing a new contract with Premiership rivals Hearts.
The ex-Ibrox skipper – who stuck with the club during their tumultuous relegation in 2012 – has signed a new “long-term” deal with the Jambos.
An assistant to first-team manager Robbie Neilson at Tynecastle, Lee McCulloch joins the Hearts boss and fellow coach Gordon Forrest in agreeing new deals.
This comes after McCulloch was part of the Hearts backroom staff that earned promotion to the Premiership two seasons ago before finishing 3rd in the top division last season.
As a result, the Tynecastle club are in the Europa League playoffs this season and guaranteed a spot in the Europa Conference League no matter what happens.
After a summer of solid recruitment in Edinburgh, Rangers legend Lee McCulloch has now been signed up alongside the management team and Hearts have paid tribute to their backroom staff.
“Everyone at Hearts is delighted that Robbie, Gordon and Lee have committed their long-term futures to the club,” said Jambos CEO Andrew McKinlay [Hearts].
“The progress the first-team has made in a short space of time is unquestionable and that is in no small part due to the talents, professionalism and determination of the coaching staff.
“They have raised standards on the park and the entire club has reaped the benefits as we shape up for one of the biggest seasons in the Hearts’ history, and I cannot think of a better trio to lead us into it.”
Rangers legend Lee McCulloch signs new Hearts deal
Rangers legend Lee McCulloch will now be part of the visiting clubs to Ibrox this season and take his place in the enemy dugout on Premiership duties this season.
Rangers paid Wigan £2.25m to sign Big Jig in 2007 and the striker-turned-midfielder-turned-defender became synonymous with the club over eight years at Ibrox.
The versatile ex-Scotland international made 303 appearances for the club, scoring 70 goals and being inducted into the Rangers Hall of Fame in 2014.
Meanwhile, one Rangers-linked playmaker is set to leave his current club but the president is decidedly coy regarding precisely where he is heading.
