By Kenny MacDonald
GLASGOW, Feb 10 - Rangers manager Alex McLeish
said on Friday he had always planned to leave the Scottish
Premier League champions at the end of this season.
Rangers announced on Thursday that McLeish, under-fire for
most of the season, would stand down after more than four years
in charge.
"I spoke to the chairman as far back as last August and said
that I would probably be going to leave next summer," McLeish
told a news conference.
"We didn't want to make it public in January when we finally
decided because players can take their foot off the gas.
"I just feel that four and a half years, well, it has been a
long time. It's a fantastic job, fantastic club and I really
feel that achievement-wise I could hopefully make an impact on
Europe before I leave Rangers."
The Ibrox side, 18 points adrift of arch-rivals Celtic in
the SPL and already out of the Scottish Cup, face Spain's
Villarreal in the last 16 of the Champions League later this
month.
Rangers chairman David Murray has said that funds will be
made available for McLeish's replacement to spend on players.
"I would like to think, (given that money) it would be
something significant because as I have said I have achieved
(seven trophies) under the constraints," added McLeish.
"I'd like to think that given a few bob I could have done
even more, but every manager will tell you that."
Rangers host league leaders Celtic in McLeish's final Old
Firm game on Sunday.