Glasgow Rangers manager Graeme Murty took off Ibrox midfielder Andy Halliday before half time in the Old Firm derby.
Halliday featured for Rangers in the Scottish Cup semi-final tie against Old Firm rivals Celtic last weekend.
The 26-year-old midfielder started the game at Hampden Park and was substituted in the 41st minute, as Graeme Murty’s side lost 4-0.
Former Rangers star McCulloch, who was on the books of the Gers from 2007 until 2015, has stated that he is sorry for Halliday.
McCulloch wrote in The Glasgow Evening Times: “I felt sorry for Andy Halliday on Sunday. He didn’t play well but to get whipped off in an Old Firm game before half-time is not nice.”
“I don’t want Halliday to be a scapegoat,” added McCulloch. “It wasn’t his fault. If the manager wants to change the shape, fair enough.
“But could he not have waited five minutes longer and done it at half-time? It was maybe Andy being hung out to dry.”
Frustration
Halliday was caught on camera shouting after he was taken off, and one can understand the Rangers midfielder’s frustration and anger.
It must have been hard for the former Middlesbrough star to be substituted in such a big game, but the 26-year-old now needs to move on and focus on bouncing back.
Halliday, who returned to Rangers from his loan spell at Gabala in January, has played a total of 173 minutes in the Scottish Premiership for the Gers this season, according to Transfermarkt.com.
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