Beale’s awkward pose is good for Rangers as this is Glasgow and boss is not here for hugs and kisses – Barry Ferguson

I don't know who came up with the plan to sit Ange Postecoglou and Michael Beale together at the same table as a publicity stunt for Sunday’s Viaplay Cup Final.

I’m not even sure it was a great idea. And, given the look on the faces of the two managers – and the feeling of awkward, frostiness between them – I certainly don’t think we’ll ever see it done again. But, having said all of that, I also have to admit I couldn’t get enough of it. I’ve felt for a while now that there is a genuine, simmering rivalry growing where this pair are concerned and the way they sat there, doing their best to ignore one another in front of the cameras gave me a chuckle.

Good on them. I didn’t want to see the pair of them smiling, high-fiving one another or having a wee cuddle on a Tuesday afternoon. ‘How you doing mate, brilliant to see you!’. Not for me. Not when they’re five days away from going to war with each other.

I do believe there’s a healthy professional respect between both men but I also get the feeling there’s a bit of needle in there too. And I love that. It adds another layer of intrigue to the whole rivalry. A little sideshow to the main event.

I often felt the same way back in playing days when we were coming up against Martin O’Neill’s Celtic. There were times when I couldn’t stand the sight of the man but it was nothing personal - it was always business.

It was because he was an excellent manager in charge of an excellent team. And boy did I respect him for him it. The fact of the matter was that O’Neill stood in the way of what I wanted my club to achieve. In order for Rangers to be successful and win trophies, we had to take him down first.

It was his job to stop us. And he was annoyingly good at it. So, yes, I