Gers Jokers Will Give Me Pelters

Jan 13 2008 By Gavin Berry

GRETNA boss Davie Irons is bracing himself for a banter war with wisecracking Rangers coaching duo Ally McCoist and Ian Durrant in the build-up to Wednesday's clash.

Irons will join the pair at Largs this afternoon and tomorrow for the next phase of their SFA coaching course as they bid to get their Pro licence. And he knows that's when the wind-ups will kick off.

Irons revealed it was on the same course that McCoist and Durrant gave him pelters for losing to Celtic.

He said: "No doubt the banter will be flying and I will be getting ribbed for being hopeless as a manager and bottom of the league.

"Last time I was late down because we'd played Celtic on the Sunday at Fir Park.

"As soon as I got there they gave me dog's abuse for leading 1-0 with a couple of minutes to go then losing 2-1. But I have huge respect for Ally. He's proving a good No.2 and coach."

Irons' respect for opposite number Walter Smith is equally high and he can't wait to pit his wits against him.

He knew he had the Gers gaffer rattled when they last met at Ibrox in September because Smith left his usual seat in the Main Stand early to rally his troops.

It worked as the Light Blues went on to win 4-0 but there were still plenty of positives for Irons. He said: "Just to be competing against Walter is a great challenge and an exciting one. I have massive respect for him.

"It will be a tough game but we did well for the first hour against them at Ibrox.

"Walter was in the dugout after 20 minutes and I said to him he must have been worried because he started laying into a few players.

"He laughed at that but said he was genuinely concerned about how the game was panning out. I took that as a compliment."