LEE McCulloch has urged against too much pressure being piled on Rangers youngster John Fleck, insisting: "He is not the new Wayne Rooney."
McCulloch has been as impressed as anyone by the 17-year-old since he made his breakthrough into the first team last month.
The talented teenager's performances have even drawn comparisons with Manchester United and England star Rooney but McCulloch insists such statements are premature.
However, he does believe the attacking midfielder is ready for his first taste of the Old Firm derby when Rangers travel to Celtic Park tomorrow.
"He is ready and certainly good enough," said the Ibrox utility man.
"Everybody is going on about Flecky just now and he has been like a new signing, the way he has come in and handled everything.
"I just hope people don't get carried away with him. Certainly, none of the players and management will get carried away with him.
"It's just whether the press start making him out to be the next Wayne Rooney because he has a long way to go.
"Rooney has scored goals in Euro championships and done so much in his career, while Flecky has only started a few games."
Fleck's displays have also caught the attention of Scotland manager George Burley, who could name the youngster in his squad for next month's World Cup qualifier against Holland.
McCulloch said: "It's not my decision, it's the Scotland manager's decision.
"I would say he is definitely good enough. He is a quality player.
"And the more games he gets, the more experience he gets."
Rangers claimed a 4-2 win the last time they visited Parkhead but McCulloch believes the Scottish champions are still favourites to come out on top this time around.
He said: "It's a very difficult place to go to, they are a quality team and they have won the championship for the last three years.
"I would say they are the favourites to win, with it being a home game.
"We will just go there and try our best."
Celtic hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons last week when goalkeeper Artur Boruc and Aiden McGeady were involved in a training-ground spat.
But McCulloch refused to be drawn on the altercation and whether it would have an impact on the derby clash.
He said: "To be honest, I don't know what happened there.
"It's nothing to do with Rangers and it's nothing to do with me.
"I've not really got much to say about that."
The talented teenager's performances have even drawn comparisons with Manchester United and England star Rooney but McCulloch insists such statements are premature.
However, he does believe the attacking midfielder is ready for his first taste of the Old Firm derby when Rangers travel to Celtic Park tomorrow.
"He is ready and certainly good enough," said the Ibrox utility man.
"Everybody is going on about Flecky just now and he has been like a new signing, the way he has come in and handled everything.
"I just hope people don't get carried away with him. Certainly, none of the players and management will get carried away with him.
"It's just whether the press start making him out to be the next Wayne Rooney because he has a long way to go.
"Rooney has scored goals in Euro championships and done so much in his career, while Flecky has only started a few games."
Fleck's displays have also caught the attention of Scotland manager George Burley, who could name the youngster in his squad for next month's World Cup qualifier against Holland.
McCulloch said: "It's not my decision, it's the Scotland manager's decision.
"I would say he is definitely good enough. He is a quality player.
"And the more games he gets, the more experience he gets."
Rangers claimed a 4-2 win the last time they visited Parkhead but McCulloch believes the Scottish champions are still favourites to come out on top this time around.
He said: "It's a very difficult place to go to, they are a quality team and they have won the championship for the last three years.
"I would say they are the favourites to win, with it being a home game.
"We will just go there and try our best."
Celtic hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons last week when goalkeeper Artur Boruc and Aiden McGeady were involved in a training-ground spat.
But McCulloch refused to be drawn on the altercation and whether it would have an impact on the derby clash.
He said: "To be honest, I don't know what happened there.
"It's nothing to do with Rangers and it's nothing to do with me.
"I've not really got much to say about that."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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