Mo Johnston had been a success as interim head coach

The 42-year-old had spent a month as caretaker manager of the US club following the sacking of Bob Bradley.

Club president and general manager Alexi Lalas said: "Maurice has been a revelation, on and off the field.

"We've had a diamond in the rough and in the last month. That diamond has started to shine."

Johnston, who had been with the club for three years as assistant after retiring as a player, took charge with three matches remaining in the regular season, winning two and drawing one, to steer the Eastern Conference side into the play-offs.

I'm excited about getting to work to bring our great fans the championship MetroStars head coach Mo Johnston

They went out in the quarter-finals, losing 3-2 on aggregate to the New England Revolution, coached by Johnston's former Scotland team-mate, Steve Nicol.

New England face Los Angeles in the league championship on Sunday, but Johnston will have the chance to lead the team all the way to the final next season.

The Scot said: "I'm thrilled that my first head coaching job can come here in MLS with MetroStars. "Now, I'm excited about getting to work to bring our great fans the championship they want so badly."

Glasgow-born Johnston made headlines in 1989 when he moved from Nantes to Rangers, becoming the first high-profile Catholic since the Second World War to play for the club.

It was particularly controversial as he seemed poised to rejoin Rangers' Glasgow rivals, Celtic.

Johnston, who also played for Partick Thistle, Watford, Everton, Hearts and Falkirk, made his international debut in 1984 and won 38 caps for Scotland, scoring 14 goals.