Tuesday 5 August 2014 15:59, UK
Hibernian boss Alan Stubbs is relishing the chance to renew his rivalry with Ally McCoist in Tuesday’s Petrofac Training Cup tie at Ibrox.
Stubbs will have his first competitive match in charge of Hibs when they travel to Glasgow and there will be a familiar face in the opposition dugout.
The former Celtic defender had a number of memorable battles with McCoist, a record goalscorer for Rangers, during their playing careers in Scotland.
They come head-to-head again in a tactical duel and Stubbs admits he holds his rival manager in high regard.
McCoist led Rangers to the final last year - when the event was sponsored by Ramsdens - only to lose out to Raith Rovers in a thrilling match at Easter Road.
“First and foremost, I’ve got a lot of respect for him. Not just as a player but as a manager,” Stubbs told Sky Sports News. “I think that’s the most important thing.
“As a player, it speaks for itself. I don’t need to speak about Ally, what he did as a player you know.
“He was fantastic as a striker. He was a pest, a very good goalscorer, he had great personality on and off the pitch.
“Tomorrow is a different kettle of fish. It will be the same rivalry, but in a different way.
“I’ll want to get the better of Ally and Ally will want to get the better of me. In reality it’s probably no different to when we were playing.”
