The former gaffer, who took charge of the Rangers side which went down 3-2 to Liverpool revealed the memories came flooding back as he donned the club blazer and tie for the first time in 13 years.
Speaking to RangersTV, he explained: “I was so nostalgic and I felt a bit emotional too remembering the fantastic times I had here. I need to get used to that new dugout though as it has a wee slope on it and I kept falling over it!
“It was a real, funny one – Durranty was cracking the jokes and he was in great form.”
Gers missed chances, particularly in the first-half, to win the game, and McLeish continued: “It was just Peter [Lovenkrands’] finishing – he’s normally good for a goal or two, but today he was so unlucky though he played a great game.
“Alex Rae was tremendous and he was non-stop energy the full game, and we got a great shift from Thomas Buffeland it was great to see him back.
McLeish was also taken aback by the reception Steven Gerrard received when he swapped his red jersey for a blue one, and added: “It was quite a thrilling feeling – you can feel the buzz about the place and as soon as we came in here today, the fact that Rangers got to the top of the league last week has just made this the perfect day.
“But he has been such a good signing for Rangers and his gravitas alone has transformed the club, while he has also shown he is learning as a coach very quickly.”