Glenn Gibbons: Ally McCoist not alone in letting heart rule head

MATCHING the ill-advised defences of the indefensible by Kenny Dalglish and Ally McCoist in virtually identical circumstances (both showing partiality in issues of which they were perfectly ignorant) curiously coincided with an episode in a newly-published book. This link led to an expansion of the thought process to embrace another similarity between the two men.

An anthology of essays by sports writers includes the recollection by a former colleague of the time he was ejected from one of Dalglish’s eccentric press conferences (this one held in the supporters’ club near the stadium).

The reason for the ban was the 
journalist’s comment that Dalglish’s glorious, arguably unparalleled 
contribution to Celtic as a player contrasted horribly with his under-achievement as manager. It is an unsettling ambivalence and one which McCoist has also been experiencing since his appointment at Ibrox 16 months ago. His peerless exploits as a striker have tended merely to underline the barrenness of his management.

McCoist, of course, now has to contend with circumstances that are unprecedented for an Old Firm manager, and a number of his seemingly unwise pronouncements in recent months can surely be regarded as understandable, impulsive ripostes to impossible pressures.

A perusal of Henrik, Hairdryers and The Hand Of God, edited by Brian Marjoribanks and sold in the cause of a heart-rendingly deserving charity, will convince the normally irrepressible former Scotland striker that, in the matter of miscalculating or badly-advised managers causing a stir, he is far from alone.