Ferguson believes Rangers can now qualify

Sir Alex Ferguson has ruled out a move to Rangers and has backed protege Alex McLeish to turn round the fortunes of the Scottish champions.

Ferguson, a former Rangers player, had been linked with a switch to Ibrox should he leave Manchester United.

But the United manager said: "I have nothing to say about that as there's no need to comment.

"As I have said many times before, when my career with United comes to an end, I'll be finished with football."

McLeish has been given until December to improve Rangers' fortunes and save his job.

His side achieved a credible 1-1 draw with Porto in the Champions League on Wednesday.

He's not had the transfer kitty some of his predecessors enjoyed Sir Alex Ferguson

"Drawing away to Porto was fantastic and that tells you everything about the strength and qualities of the guy," said Ferguson, who was McLeish's manager at Aberdeen.

"What else do you want from a manager?

"How many people can win seven trophies in four years?

"I have had two of them in the last three down south. I think Alex has done a fantastic job and I think generally that the real Rangers fans will believe that as well.

"He's not had the transfer kitty some of his predecessors enjoyed.

"What he's had to do is take free transfer players, loans and bargain basement signings and that can't be easy given Rangers' standards.

"I spoke to him a couple of days ago and he was really laidback about the whole thing, which tells you everything.

"I really think they can qualify from that group now."

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