Alex McLeish claims he did not speak about the future of Rangers despite meeting successor Paul Le Guen this week.
The former Lyon manager will take over from the departing Ibrox boss at the end of the season.
McLeish confirmed Le Guen did visit the club this week but insisted they never exchanged views on first-team matters.
"I did speak to Paul Le Guen but that will remain private," he said. "It was only to say hello and there were no discussions about the future or what he was going to do."
Rangers can close the gap on second-place Hearts in the Bank of Scotland Premier League to three points with victory at Tynecastle on Sunday and McLeish insists Le Guen will let him and the team get on with their jobs until the summer.
"Paul won't interfere with anything, knowing the importance of the season," he said.
Chairman David Murray this week fired up the players by insisting they were playing for their futures.
But McLeish believes the first-team stars do not need any added incentive for their remaining nine matches.
He continued: "The form of the players has been good and I am the manager of Rangers until the end of the season.
"The players respect and recognise that. Equally they know they have to keep performing for the club and themselves as far as the future is concerned.
"There are great incentives and self-motivational factors for the players. There's personal pride at stake.
"I don't think we need to talk about extra kicks up the backside when you are playing at Rangers.
"We've had our problems this season, which have been well documented, and there are a dozen reasons why the European campaign was different from the domestic one.
"The players know when they play for this club they have to be in top form or they will be scrutinised. That is the law of the jungle.2
Captain Barry Ferguson is illustrating that commitment as he plays through the pain barrier.
The Scotland international midfielder has been hindered with an ankle problem but McLeish says he will carry on playing.
He said: "If it deteriorated and it came to a point where Barry was being restricted he would look at an operation, but his last couple of games have been magnificent."
McLeish will leave Ibrox at the end of the season but he has distanced himself from links with the Sunderland job.
The former Aberdeen and Scotland defender has reiterated his desire to enjoy a rest from football in the summer.
"I'm adamant I am going to have a break," he said. "Being here for four and a-half years is quite demanding at times and quite draining.
"But it was enjoyable and I wouldn't have missed it for the world."
