Improved recruitment key for Rangers to close gap - McLeish

Improved recruitment is key to Philippe Clement closing the gap on Celtic, says former Rangers boss Alex McLeish.

Tuesday marked one year since the Ibrox appointment of the Belgian, who has won one League Cup trophy and overseen a huge turnover of players.

The Govan side are currently five points adrift of their city rivals and Aberdeen after seven league games following a tumultuous summer.

McLeish, who won seven domestic honours during his time as Rangers manager, says he was fortunate to take over Dick Advocaat's high-quality squad in 2001, but Clement has not been afforded the same luxury as he continues rebuild.

Speaking on the BBC's Sacked in the Morning podcast, McLeish said: "He's not quite got the quality in the team that I inherited... he's still trying to build that.

"They're just a little bit short in terms of where Celtic are at the moment - it hinges on the recruitment.

"If Rangers can get the recruitment a little bit tighter then you know they'll surely be a big challenge to Celtic.

"I've met him and I like him, I like the cut of his jib and I'm hoping he can take Rangers to better things."