The Rangers manager has pored over video footage of the Norwegian striker's free-scoring spell at Chelsea as he reflects on the collapse of a cut-price £5m move to Sunderland.

Flo, who was omitted from McLeish's starting line-up for the Tennent's Scottish Cup Final in May and this season's SPL opener at Kilmarnock, has stoically refused to concede defeat to his critics.

And with the club's record signing hopeful of defying a hip knock to start against Hibs in the live BBC Scotland match at Easter Road tomorrow, the former Easter Road boss has laid down the gauntlet.

'I've turned the TV on in the last couple of days to watch programmes about bygone years in the Premiership,' said McLeish. 'Every time I turn it on, Flo is scoring goals.

'He has scored plenty of goals. But the biggest criticism levelled at Tore is that he has not scored enough against Celtic or scored enough in European competition.

'Whether that's bad luck, I don't know, because he has scored against other big teams in Europe and at World Cup level. Maybe he's had a bit of bad luck or maybe the system hasn't suited him.

'We've played two up in the last two games and I've seen a big change in him. Tore is in the squad for Sunday and I told him that, if he is still a Rangers player, then I'm delighted.'

Flo's 25 goals in his first full season at Ibrox failed to convince the sceptics and couldn't win him a place for the Final defeat of Celtic at Hampden.

The former Chelsea striker was also on the bench at Kilmarnock a fortnight ago and, with Rangers desperate for the income from a transfer receipt, he had appeared bound for the Stadium of Light.

McLeish, however, confessed moves for Flo and team-mate Michael Mols remained 'in limbo' - although more negotiations are expected over the weekend with regard to the injury-plagued Dutchman.

'The whole scenario must be a bit unsettling for Tore, but he is handling it well,' added McLeish.

'He knows the situation at Rangers just now. 'I believe we have to sell before we can bring new faces - but I'll only bring someone in if he's going to enhance the Rangers squad. If we hit the August 31 deadline and Tore and Michael have left, I wouldn't be panicking.'

Mols trained at Murray Park on Friday, with agent Rob Jansen fully expecting a £1m transfer to be concluded by early next week.