Alex McLeish says Philippe Clement will have 'right mentality' to succeed at Rangers if appointed manager

Alex McLeish has backed Philippe Clement to have the right mentality to bring success to Rangers if he is appointed the club’s new manager.

The Belgian has been out of football since leaving his post at Ligue 1 side Monaco earlier this year which came after a successful spell in his homeland when he won three consecutive titles with Genk and then Club Brugge between 2019 – 2021.

He is now believed to be the clear front-runner to replace Michael Beale at Ibrox with a decision expected to be made by the end of the week.

McLeish, who won seven trophies at Rangers during a five-year spell between 2001-2006 and remains the only manager to qualify from a Champions League group with the club, believes the former Belgium international has the mentality needed to turn their poor early form return.

He said: “It’s a tough job, to come in and get Rangers up to a level that the fans expect, we know that you can get managers coming in and resurrecting the situation, but it is a tough job for anyone and if the recruitment is not right then it makes it even more difficult.

“Philippe will definitely have the right mentality, with having that success behind him he will be confident, he’s young enough to come in and take the lead.

“Does he have the right recruitment? Can he look at the players that are there and improve them with his style of play or managerial skills, that will be the key or Rangers will have to go into their purse again and look for more money for other players.

“I guess if he is the man who’s coming then he’ll have an idea of certain players he’ll want to bring in.”

Another name heavily linked with the job is Kevin Muscat who played under McLeish when they won a treble together in 2003.

On the Yokohama Marinos boss McLeish said: “I have kept in touch with him over the years, he’s a great lad who has been doing well and it’s been good to see his progress.

“And with Postecoglou doing so well, as an Australian coming to these shores, then Australian coaches are now going to be looked at very closely and particularly with Kevin’s association with Rangers.

“I think with any coach that goes in the players will have to realise that he knows the game and there will be a respect there, no matter who comes in.”