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McLeish takes over at Rangers

Alex McLeish is the new manager of Rangers FC after Dick Advocaat relinquished the post to become director of football.

Alex McLeish has been confirmed as the new manager of Rangers FC after Dick Advocaat relinquished the post to become director of football at Ibrox stadium.

'My first choice'
The 42-year-old McLeish resigned as Hibernian FC manager to succeed Dutchman Advocaat, who will move upstairs after three-and-a-half years as manager of the Glasgow club. "McLeish was my choice and he was definitely the first choice," said Advocaat. "I think he has shown it already at Hibs that he is very promising young manager with good skills."

Compensation package
Hibernian, who visit Rangers in a Scottish Premier League match on Wednesday night, agreed a compensation package with Rangers after the former Aberdeen FC and Scotland defender said he wanted to move.

Motherwell visit
The new manager will have to wait until Saturday to pick his first Rangers' team because Advocaat is to remain in charge for the visit of the Edinburgh club. Rangers are at Motherwell FC on Saturday, ironically the club where McLeish began his managerial career in 1994.

Fine pedigree
McLeish, who won 77 Scotland caps, was a key member of the Aberdeen side built by Sir Alex Ferguson in the early 1980s, winning three Scottish championships and the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup.

'Fantastic feeling'
McLeish, who will be accompanied by former HIbernian assistant Andy Watson at Ibrox, said: "It's fantastic and a stunning feeling to be announced as the new manager of Rangers. It is a phenomenal feeling and I'm really looking forward to what is a fantastic challenge in my football career."

'Relishing the challenge'
He also said he was in no doubt as to the enormity of the task he had taken on. "I can see what this club means by the turn out tonight [Tuesday]," added McLeish at the press conference announcing his appointment. "It's new territory, but that's part and parcel of climbing up the football ladder and that's why I came to this kind of level. I suppose the pressure here will be quite enormous - I am relishing the challenge."

UEFA Cup win
Rangers will feature in Wednesday's draw for the fourth round of the UEFA Cup after disposing of French challengers Paris Saint-Germain FC 4-3 on penalties in the previous round. Both legs of the tie finished goalless but the spot-kick victory ensured Rangers' participation in European competition past Christmas for the first time since the 1992/92 season.