Le Guen has a great track record in French football

The former Lyon boss has signed a three-year deal and will be joined by his assistant Yves Colleu.

"I am looking forward to the challenge at Rangers," Le Guen, 42, told the club's website on Saturday.

"I received a number of interesting offers from major clubs around Europe, but this move to Scotland was the right one for me and my family."

McLeish, who took over at Rangers in December 2002, announced in February that he would be stepping down at the end of the season.

And Rangers chairman David Murray was quick to praise the outgoing manager.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank Alex McLeish for his achievements, having secured seven trophies in four-and-a-half years," Murray told the club website.

Le Guen, who was capped by France while a player at Paris St Germain, led Lyon to three successive league titles before leaving the post at the end of last season.

He chose to work as a media pundit in France for a year and has spurned offers from the likes of Lazio, Lokomotiv Moscow and Dinamo Kiev.