McCoist happy to wait for Ibrox job

28 May 2009 16:31
Smith could have walked away in a blaze of glory after clinching the Scottish Premier League on the final day of the season but has stated his intention to stay on next term. McCoist is expected to take over the reigns when Smith does quit but is satisfied to continue learning from "one of the best in the business" for the time being. "With the greatest respect, it's not about me," said the assistant boss. "I'm thoroughly enjoying what I'm doing at the club just now as assistant manager and I firmly believe I'm learning from one of the best in the business. "We all are - Kenny McDowall, Iain Durrant, big Jim Stewart and myself. As long as that continues, we'll be absolutely delighted. "You just want to walk about with your eyes and ears open and take in as much as you can and soak up as much as possible. "It is an education and we do want to further that education. At this moment, we are having a great time and thoroughly enjoying it." McCoist added: "When you look at the last two-and-a-half years, it's an incredible rollercoaster we have been on when you think about it. "There has been everything involved - European finals, losing the league on the last day, winning the Scottish Cup, losing the League Cup this year. "There has been a bit of everything. The players and management have all been through it together. "The whole thing is a learning curve and the last two-and-a-half years has certainly been a steep learning curve but it's one I've enjoyed." McCoist is adamant nothing he has experienced as a coach has put him off becoming manager one day but admits one aspect of the job has been difficult to take. "I'm not too keen on the defeats," he said. "We've had some sore ones - the last day of last season, the League Cup this year and the UEFA Cup final. "In a strange way, you remember the defeats more than the victories. The defeats stay with you a little bit longer and hurt a little bit longer. "But it's all part and parcel of the education and I've enjoyed the highs and the lows and there is nothing that has put me off." As Smith pledged to remain at Rangers next season, Celtic were left looking for a new manager when Gordon Strachan quit the Parkhead side 24 hours after failing to claim a fourth successive title. But McCoist claims everyone at Rangers is too busy focusing on Saturday's Homecoming Scottish Cup final with Falkirk - and the quest for a domestic double - to pay too much attention to their rivals across the city. He said: "I would be lying if I said you don't look at all, of course you do, and they have a lot of great candidates. "But, to be honest, we are just so focused on the job that we have at the weekend, we don't want to take our eye off the ball in any way. "Once Saturday comes and we have won the cup against a team who will make it difficult for us, then we can sit down and look at Celtic and see who they bring in. "They might bring in one or two players as well and then we will start planning again for the start of the new season. "But, at this moment in time, our only thoughts are on the cup final." Owen Coyle has distanced himself from the Celtic job but, if the Burnley boss has a change of heart and ends up in the east end of Glasgow next season, McCoist insists their friendship would not change. "I know Owen very well," he said. "I spoke to him before the game which took them into the Premiership. "I just think he has done an absolutely phenomenal job. Owen and I sat our Euro badge at the same time and for him to take that Burnley side into the Premier League is an incredible achievement. "Owen is a brilliant lad and he has probably been pinching himself all season. "But it's brilliant to see one of the good guys in the game getting well-deserved success. "If he does take the job, I don't see any reason why we won't still be phoning each other, that's for sure."

Source: Team_Talk