Graeme Souness always knew Philippe Clement had the stature to command respect in the Rangers dressing room - but has admitted he did have one concern over the move to Ibrox.

The former Rangers manager was involved in the process of appointing a new manager after Michael Beale was sacked last year.

It meant Souness was part of the interview process and discussed the position with Clement and rival candidates for the Ibrox post.

Quickly, Souness was convinced of Clement's pedigree as a coach and manager, however, he has revealed he did have concerns over adapting to life in the West of Scotland.

The Liverpool icon - who previously suggested Frank Lampard was his pick for the Rangers job - feared Clement wouldn't click with the intensity of football in Glasgow and Scotland as a whole.

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“When I was interviewing him it was clear he had stature," Souness told the Daily Record. He holds the room when he speaks. Listen, in these situations I always put myself back in the dressing room as a player – does this guy retain my interest? Does he have a presence about him?

“It was clear to see Philippe has that. He also has a very good CV. The concern I had was the West of Scotland. Would he get what it’s all about?

“I think he did get that very early on. It’s a very different place to work but I got that from him immediately. I’m not surprised by the impact he’s made.

He has, though, been delighted to have been proved wrong so far as Souness hailed the impact Clement has already had at Rangers.

He added: “I was up in Glasgow towards the end of the last manager’s reign and when I was back up at Parkhead a few weeks ago I saw a very different team. I saw a team that was resilient and a team that believed they could get a result.

“It’s not an easy place but that was a game that turned on small margins. It could have gone either way, and you even saw it by the end in the way Rangers finished the game. I think there is a lot to be positive about at Rangers with Philippe.”