SPL: McLeish dismisses Rangers speculataion

Hibernian manager Alex McLeish insists that it is ‘‘business as usual’’ at Easter Road.

The former Scotland international has emerged as a leading contender to replace Dick Advocaat at Rangers with the Dutchman expected to accept a role as director of football.

But McLeish, who ironically takes his side to Govan on Wednesday night, maintains that talk of him moving to Glasgow is speculation.

‘‘I have nothing to say on it. As far as I’m concerned, it is all paper talk,’’ said McLeish.

‘‘It is business as usual. I’m in this morning preparing the players for a big game at Ibrox on Wednesday.’’

Former Hibs midfielder Russell Latapy has already backed his former boss to succeed at a top club.

The Trinidad international, who fell foul of McLeish last season and consequently missed out on a Scottish Cup final appearance, regards the Easter Road boss as one of the top managers in the game.

‘‘In football it pleases me that a young person gets an opportunity to do well for himself,’’ said Latapy.

‘‘In this case it is Alex, so if he continues to do a good job for Hibs I will be happy for him, and if he comes here and does a good job, then I will be happy for him as well.’’

McLeish made his name as one of the mainstays of Alex Ferguson’s great Aberdeen side of the 1980s and is one of Scotland’s most capped players.

He is a relatively inexperienced manager, starting as player-boss at Motherwell, before taking Hibernian into the top division and to last season’s cup final.

Latapy added: ‘‘In football nothing surprises me much any more. You have to expect the unexpected in football and maybe that’s the beauty of the game.

‘‘It would be good if he has the opportunity because he is a very good manager and has done well for himself.

‘‘And if he stays at Hibs I’m sure that he will continue to do a good job.’’