Alex McLeish insists new Rangers boss Philippe Clement has to give the Ibrox side's players a "cuddle".

The Belgian has signed a three-and-a-half year deal with the Light Blues and the former Scotland manager reckons the 49-year-old will need to restore confidence in the squad.

McLeish feels that putting an arm around the players is the way for Clement to get the best out of them.

Speaking to the BBC, he said: "Philippe has to impose himself in a positive way. A lot of these players will be hurting after what has happened in the last few weeks.

"I believe they need a wee cuddle, a firm cuddle, because we haven’t seen the individual quality we expected from the signings.

READ MORE: Philippe Clement Rangers manager: What it's like to play for Belgian

"Philippe has a tough task ahead. Maybe he has a black book of players he would like to add if the financial resources are okay for that. The cost of players these days is frightening.

"I guess that will be one of the big topics - can he bring players in or does he have to sell players before he can get his choices in?

"Or can he have the managerial skills to get this team playing to the level the scouting team thought these players were capable of.

"Can Philippe go and unleash that potential of these players? Certainly he has a good record and it’s all about him imposing his personality on that group of players and getting more out of them.”