Alan Thompson has given a very believable version of what kicked off between Neil Lennon and Ally McCoist on the Celtic Park touchline in March 2011.
The two men at the centre of the incident have kept quiet over the years, often teaming up for charity and media events and putting on the ‘big pals act’.
After three Ibrox players were sent off during the game and the touchline flashpoint the Scottish Government waded in with Peter Lawwell and his Ibrox buddy Martin Bain called to a Hollyrood summit.
Those two were trying to plot away to the riches of the EPL but found themselves in the spotlight as the real nature of the ‘business partnership’ between the two clubs was exposed.
A few versions of what went have surfaced from time to time but speaking to The Sun Thompson explains:
I was stood so close that I clearly heard Ally tell Lenny, ‘And don’t you be speaking to my f***ing players like that’, only for Lenny to tell him, ‘They’re not your f***ing players, they’re Walter’s.
It’s never been disclosed what was actually said in over a decade now — but I’m telling you that was the spark that lit the fire and Hell was hot.
Lenny was right because Walter was the gaffer and Ally was only the No?2 at that time. Ally didn’t take well to that.
The Rangers boys were all trying to say it was our fault but any team who receives three red cards in one match need to have a long hard look at themselves.
Ahead of taking over as manager McCoist was allowed to take charge of cup ties with Smith in the stand for emergency use.
Once he finally moved into management he managed to lose cup ties to Falkirk, Queen of the South, Forfar, Raith Rovers and Alloa as well as Malmo, Maribor and the regular beatings from Dundee United including a Scottish Cup semi-final at Ibrox.
I heard it was because Super Swally said to Lennon, ‘at least I can do homers with my gardening ‘ ,then Lenny interjects saying ‘ I’ll prune your Roses ,chief ‘ !