I have to say I’m not surprised I
read that Alistair McCoist was to become the new manager of Rangers – I had a
newspaper in my hands at the time.
If my old strike
partner fell in a tin of salmon he’d come out smelling like he did most
mornings at training. Alistair always did like a little night out but when it
came to doing the business on the park he was never lacking.
The announcement was
of course tinged with more than a little sadness as it confirms that my old
gaffer Walter Smith will definitely be retiring in the summer – if it were up
to me I’d tell him to go upstairs immediately. I’d also like him to stay on at
Ibrox in some capacity too.
Back to Alistair
though and after the disappointment of Sunday’s game against Celtic yesterday’s
news will give everyone at Rangers a massive lift and one which may just propel
them all the way to the SPL title.
Some may look at him
and wonder if he can take the job seriously enough but beyond that cheeky
chappie exterior beats the heart of a strict disciplinarian. I think some of
the players at Ibrox will be in for a rude awakening when my old strike partner
brings their wives and girlfriends home at 7am.
Alistair will have
to be his own man – nobody should be able to tell him how to do his job or how
to structure his side, even a former striker who feels he could get a job
working with the current forwards. No, Alistair has to do it HIS way or nor at
all.
Speaking of which,
my old partner in the showers should watch out for the shadier side of the
business. I remember getting a telephone call from someone in my days at Ibrox
regarding an upcoming match against Marseilles.
He said to me: “I am French. I am offering you one million pounds not to play
in the game against Marseilles.
This is a bribe”.
I pondered over the
call and after a while could only deduce that someone wanted me to take money
for not playing against Marseille. Alistair could do worse than heed my advice
on this matter – but I stress he has to be his own man in the job.
So as we prepare for
Walter Smith’s brown brogues of dignity to make their way down the marble
staircase of tradition for the last time, we are consoled by the fact that
Alistair McCoist will be filling his managerial chair for the start of next
season.
Lock up your
daughters, wives, Mothers and Grandmothers. It is going to be a rollercoaster
ride. But you know what – strap me in.
As told to James' Trainers
