Ally McCoist insists this weekend's Old Firm derby is all about the players and not about himself and Neil Lennon.
The pair clashed at the end of a particularly fiery Scottish Cup tie between the Glasgow giants back in March. McCoist has since been promoted from his role as Walter Smith's assistant and is preparing to go head to head with Lennon in the dug-out for the first time as manager.
Asked if Sunday's clash at Ibrox is a chance for him to get one up on Lennon, McCoist insisted: "Not at all. I know that's not the answer you wanted to hear but it's about the two teams. I want our team to go out and play well and win the game. Once that whistle goes, there is nothing the managers can do."
He added: "They can tweak formations and change players but the most important people in Old Firm games are the players on the park. It's the players who will hopefully win us the game on Sunday.
"The scrutiny on the players and coaches and management is always there. It's something you've got to handle and it's something the players and coaches and management staff will hopefully handle.
"The scrutiny is only greater because of the enormity of the game, there is no doubt about that in my opinion. The expectancy levels to have discipline should be the same no matter what the game is throughout the country. It goes without saying that, because of the size of the game and the focus on the game, there is far more scrutiny on ourselves."
McCoist is relishing his managerial debut in the famous fixture and does not feel the need to seek advice from his former mentor Smith ahead of the match.
He said: "I won't consult with him, not at all. Possibly I will talk to him because we are friends and we speak quite a lot on the phone. I would imagine we will have a conversation but I won't be phoning for any special knowledge or tips or anything like that.
"Walter has always been there and he is a great friend now and he will obviously be wishing us well but the contact will purely be friendship. I'm lucky in the respect that I totally understand and know the enormity of the occasion having played in so many of the games.
"I do appreciate the enormity of the situation so from that point of view, having played in a few and assisted in a few, you would hope that would help."
Source: PA
