Rangers chairman David Murray will step up his efforts over the next 48 hours to bring in Paul Le Guen as the club’s new manager.

The former Lyon coach confirmed one of the worst-kept secrets in football when he admitted this morning to being in talks with the Ibrox club.

Le Guen’s long-time assistant Yves Colleu was in Glasgow over the weekend - with Le Guen’s family - to view property in the city.

Colleu believes Murray will have his answer from Le Guen by Wednesday this week over his possible succession to Alex McLeish, who will step down at the end of the season.

After the ex-France midfielder finally admitted he was in discussions with Rangers, Murray will aim to complete the deal as soon as possible.

The Ibrox chairman moved to quell fans’ anger in the wake of the disappointing Tennent’s Scottish Cup defeat by Hibernian by confirming McLeish will leave at the end of the season.

A number of supporters demonstrated against Murray outside Ibrox in the wake of the 3-0 defeat by the Easter Road side.

But now the Rangers chairman has turned his sights on Le Guen, who guided Lyon to three French titles and successive Champions League quarter-finals in 2004 and 2005.

Le Guen today told French television channel Canal Plus: "We are discussing but we have not yet reached the point where we sign a contract."

Colleu watched Rangers’s 1-0 defeat by Celtic at Ibrox on Sunday. He left before the end of the game, maintaining Rangers can expect an answer by Wednesday.

"It is difficult for me to talk at this stage. I would prefer to wait three or four days," said Colleu. "We do not have a lot of precious time to give our answer - but I think I should be able to tell you a lot more by Wednesday."

Murray is aiming to confirm McLeish’s successor after the Champions League tie with Villarreal.

Rangers play host to the Spanish team on February 22nd, before travelling to the Madrigal Stadium on March 7th.