McCoist will make his point

11 March 2011 08:00
Rangers assistant manager Ally McCoist insists he will make no apology for defending his players after being hit with a two-match ban by the Scottish Football Association. McCoist - who will take over the helm from Walter Smith in the summer - was handed the punishment after clashing with Celtic boss Neil Lennon after last Wednesday's Old Firm derby. The Ibrox club claimed in a statement the day after the Scottish Cup tie that the explosive events were sparked by the treatment of some of their players in a previous meeting with Celtic at Ibrox. Speaking after Rangers claimed a goalless draw against PSV Eindhoven in the last 16 of the Europa League, McCoist said: "I felt I and the club had drawn a line under this issue last week. When I left the Celtic manager's room after a bottle of beer with Neil I felt that it was finished. But, to be honest, in the last 24-48 hours I think there has been comment and commentary which I feel I have to put my side of events over. "We as a coaching staff - and indeed some of the officials, not just on Wednesday but on previous occasions - had heard some of our players subject to verbal abuse. We felt that it was wrong. "I make absolutely no apology at all to the fact - whether it's Kyle Lafferty, El-Hadji Diouf or Stevie Naismith - I would defend those players in a case like that. I make no apology. As Neil and I were shaking hands at the end of the game I mentioned this to him. We then discussed the matter after that like two adults. We shared a bottle of beer and a glass of wine."

Source: PA