Lee McCulloch insists all the pressure at Rangers is on long-standing squad players and not the nine new summer signings at Ibrox.

Michael Beale has been active in the summer with a major overhaul of his squad with significant transfer fees spent with the manager backed by Ibrox chiefs.

However, McCulloch has absolved the new faces of pressure in the opening stages of the season, instead placing responsibility on Beale and leaders in the dressing room including captain James Tavernier and Connor Goldson.

"All the pressure is on the ones who have been here for years," said the former Rangers midfielder.

"They need to look after the new ones coming in because they are coming in blind.

"The manager will take a bit of the responsibility in that but it goes back to your leaders, the dressing room leading itself at times because it has got to out there in the two 45 minutes of play.

"It's time for the big boys to stand up."

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Despite McCulloch's warning to the long-standing Ibrox players to help the new signings settle, he suggested an ignorance to the huge pressure and demands at Ibrox could work in the favour of the nine signings - especially when Champions League qualifiers kick-off against Servette in midweek.

"It’s all about getting through [the Champions League qualifier] and the new signings might come in a little bit blind when it comes to expectation levels.

“That can also work as a positive because they’re not used to it and don’t feel it.

“I was speaking to Danilo and he’s super excited. I think he’s going to be a top player and you can tell has that bit of confidence about him.

“But if you have nine new players not used to the demands, it can work as a positive."

The only concern for the new players? Proving themselves if things do go against them.

"You prove your mettle if things go against you," said McCulloch. "It’s the most horrible place in the world but you have to somehow get out of it quickly.

“That’s when you need the players around you to help you.

“They have the Taverniers, Goldsons of this world who have been here long enough to realise it’s only a couple of good performances, good passes or a goal that gets you out of that."

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McCulloch is no stranger to huge European nights for Rangers having reached the UEFA Cup final with the club in 2008 and also featuring in a stunning draw with Barcelona the year previous.

And he's confident the key to the success was a fearlessness in the dressing room; something he believes Beale is bringing back at Ibrox.

"You have got to respect people but you can't fear anybody and that was our dressing room at the time," said McCulloch of his experience in Europe at Rangers.

"And I believe that is coming back into the dressing room and it hasn't been there for a while but I actually believe it is coming back.

"Football is crazy; if you believe in yourself and you work your hardest you can be anywhere you want to be.

"A fearlessness and togetherness is definitely coming back into the dressing room through him [Beale]."

On his limited dealings with Beale to date - which have given him real confidence of bringing success to Rangers - McCulloch explained: "I have been in the technical area against him and spoken to him a few times. 

"I actually sent him a gift not so long ago of some cashmere and a bottle of whisky, which he thanked me for.

"I think he is different from most young managers. He's not naive, he's good on the grass.

"But it's getting the players to really run through a brick wall for you. 

"If you look back to Walter Smith and top, top managers they knew tactics, loads of people know tactics but it's not solely about tactics it's about being willing to go through the pain barrier for your manager. And I think he has got a bit of that in him.

"I think the players really look up to him and that's really going to help going forward."