Le Guen won't start French inlux - Bernard

Rangers defender Olivier Bernard insists Paul le Guen will not turn Ibrox into a French colony.

The former Lyon full-back is one of the few players who have met the club’s next manager and he is backing his countryman to be a big success in the Scottish game when he takes over from Alex McLeish in the summer.

But Bernard insists Le Guen’s arrival does not necessarily mean a sea of new signings coming in from France.

He said: “I know Paul le Guen as a manager.

“I used to play for Lyon so whenever I go back to France I’m always in Lyon so I’ve met him a few times.

“I’ve never worked with him, but I have heard from various people that he is a good coach.

“He is very competitive and won the title in France three times which is a very good achievement.

“Hopefully he can come to Rangers and be as successful here next season.

“I don’t think he’ll favour the French players – he’s not that type of manager. His attitude is normally that if you are good enough, you will play.

“I don’t think all the French players will play, that’s for sure. But we will have to wait and see.”

The former Newcastle defender is shocked Le Guen opted for Rangers but he believes it shows how big they are.

The highly-rated boss will replace McLeish after this season and Bernard told Rangers News: “People at home were surprised he chose Rangers as he is probably one of the top managers in France right now.

“So it was a bit of a shock he wanted to manage in Scotland. He had a couple of offers from teams like Roma and Real Madrid but chose to come here which is great for us and proves Rangers are a big club now too.

“It will be a fantastic challenge for him to do well here. He needs a job as he hasn’t been working for a few months. I am sure he is confident he will do well.”

But whether Bernard is still at Rangers when Le Guen does arrive remains to be seen.

He said: “I was glad to finally come back from injury.

“I’d been out for quite a long time so it was good to get back playing again

“It was frustrating when I was on the sidelines for so long after damaging the cartilage in my knee as you want to be part of the team and part of the success.

“Despite the injury I feel settled already at the club. All I need now is to get back playing again and doing my best for the team.

“There’s going to be a new manager but we’re not really thinking about that because we must concentrate on this season.

“It would be nice to finish second and get that Champions League place.”