McCulloch back in the frame May 08 2008
Rangers midfielder Lee McCulloch's dream of lifting the UEFA Cup is alive after his injury nightmare subsided.
McCulloch thought he would miss out on the run-in to his club's quadruple challenge after suffering a suspected broken foot in a challenge by Celtic midfielder Paul Hartley.
The former Motherwell man has not played since the Old Firm defeat on April 16 but he returned to training earlier this week and is expected to play some part in Saturday's Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash with Dundee United.
That would put him back in the frame for the club's first European final for 36 years when Rangers face Zenit St Petersburg in Manchester.
And McCulloch has declared himself ready to meet the challenge.
"I've trained again today so I feel all right and I think I will be fit for it, but it's up to the manager who is going to play," he said.
"Two weeks ago I thought my season was over, so it's good to have a bit of hope.
"To get a run-out on Saturday would be brilliant.
"I was told my foot was broken, then a couple of days later when the swelling went down I had a scan and found it was only bone bruising."
McCulloch admits the thought of manager Walter Smith telling him he is not needed next Wednesday has gone through his mind.
"Everybody has probably thought about it," McCulloch said. "Everybody wants to play, everybody wants to start, myself included.
"But if the manager doesn't pick me I'll get on with it. I think every player at the club, the manager has done that much for them, I don't think they can bear any grudges about being dropped.
"He has brought players in that want to play for him. Everyone knows the respect the manager holds, but the respect he holds within the dressing room is fantastic, so it would be brilliant to go and do it for him."
McCulloch hopes his experience of playing at the City of Manchester Stadium for Wigan is a good omen.
"I have played there a few times before and never been beaten there," said McCulloch, who turns 30 on the day of the final.
"I have scored as well, so it all looks good."
The Scotland international is not dreaming of scoring another, however, as all he is concerned about is taking the trophy back to Glasgow.
"I just dream about winning it," he said. "It doesn't matter how we do it, an own goal whatever, just to win it would be brilliant - a dream come true."
McCulloch was speaking at an Ibrox open day to preview the final but the Rangers players have to forget about the biggest game of their lives until after their crucial SPL clash against United.
While Zenit had three games postponed to give them a free run to the final following their semi-final win over Bayern Munch, Rangers are playing three SPL games in seven days.
They won the second of those thanks to a Barry Ferguson goal against Motherwell last night and have to beat United to keep the title destiny in their own hands.
The SPL rejected a request from Rangers to postpone the United clash and McCulloch admits the decision has fired them up.
"I think it has spurred us on a little bit," he said.
"When the league ask you to play four games in a week, everybody I have spoken to in England has been laughing at it and laughing at us really.
"The schedule has been nothing short of ridiculous. But the games are there, we have got to play them and win them. The demands are high.
"Everyone keeps going on about tiredness but with the squad we have got, I don't think we can complain.
"As long as you get the right rest, you are going to be all right."