Former Scotland player Kenny Dalglish is a keen golfer

The club plays a course said to have been originally designed by four-times Open championship winner Old Tom Morris in 1892.

Crofters opposing an extension of the course have disputed claims it was laid out by the golfer.

Mr Dalglish will be officially confirmed in the post at a fundraising dinner at Celtic Park on Thursday.

A project to renovate the course back to the Old Tom Morris design is scheduled to be completed next spring.

Askernish Golf Club can very quickly become a jewel in world golf Kenny Dalglish

Mr Dalglish, who played for and later managed Celtic and Liverpool, said he was delighted to be made the golf club's honorary president.

He said: "I have followed the amazing story behind its reinstatement and I'm very happy to assist the communities involved.

"Askernish Golf Club can very quickly become a jewel in world golf and I'll do everything I can to ensure it realises its potential."

There has been a dispute over grazing rights on the course

He added: "I'm looking forward to playing Askernish and I've no doubt that there will be huge interest from golfers across world who'll be determined to come and play the new Old Tom Morris course on South Uist."

Angus MacMillan, chairman of the course's landlord Storas Uibhist, said Mr Dalglish's acceptance of the post proved its pulling power.

In June, the majority of shareholders in the land accused Storas Uibhist and Askernish Golf Club of breaching crofting laws.