Thursday 20 August 2015 19:37, UK
Neil McCann insists there is no such thing as an easy job at Rangers or Celtic after Alan Stubbs claimed that was what Mark Warburton had on his hands at Ibrox.
The Hibernian manager caused a storm on Wednesday when he was quoted playing down the progress Warburton has made since he took charge of the Scottish giants.
Stubbs told Hibs TV: "It's very easy when you've got money to spend to bring in much better players than what was there at the start.
"Compared to where they are last season to now, it is a transformation of the squad but they've spent a lot of money as well."
Warburton reacted after Rangers' Petrofac Cup win at Ayr by telling Stubbs to shut up and concentrate on his own club.
And Sky Sports pundit McCann has backed the former Brentford boss – who has overseen five consecutive wins so far – for his stance.
Asked if Warburton had it easy in his new role, McCann told Sky Sports News HQ: "If you ask any of Mark Warburton or any of his predecessors that question I think you would be laughed at.
"I don't think there can ever be an easy time as a Rangers manager with the pressure it brings.
"Possibly he (Stubbs) was meaning he'd be in a good position in terms of the financial aspect of rebuilding a squad and being able to attract a certain level of player to the club.
"It can bring its own troubles having those sorts of funds because players' agents and players know what they're dealing with.
"Clubs who Mark Warburton might be trying to attract a player from know that Rangers maybe have a bit of financial clout there so they up the ante.
"There are difficulties there. I would never say a Rangers job – or a Celtic job – would be easy at any stage of the season whether it be the close season, during the season, whatever."
Bad feeling between the two managers gradually built over the summer as Rangers tried and failed to sign Scott Allan from Hibernian.
The Edinburgh side refused to sell to a rival club from the same league and eventually did a deal with Celtic for the player instead.
Rangers host Hibernian in the Championship this Sunday, a match you can see exclusively on Sky Sports.
McCann doesn't expect any animosity to spill into the fixture and added: "To be honest, I don't think there will be anything of it.
"I think Rangers conducted themselves okay in terms of their pursuit of Scott Allan. I'm led to believe they went down the right channels in terms of the bids they made for the player.
"I think Hibs got the best deal out of the Scott Allan sale. If I was a Hibs manager, I wouldn't like to sell Scott Allan to Rangers, my biggest challengers for the Championship.
"They got some money, he goes to Celtic… I think the boy, if anything, could have forced Hibs' hand by sitting tight.
"If he wanted to go to Rangers, he could have just sat there but to turn back Celtic would have been a huge choice to make.
"Hibs have got their money and Alan Stubbs has not sold his best player to his biggest rivals so he'll feel he's in a good position.
"The war of words is just something possibly the media are making a big thing of. It possibly adds a bit of spice to the match because it will be a fantastic viewing of football."
Rangers currently lead the Championship and already have a three-point advantage over Hibs, the side expected to run them closest in the bid to go up to the Premiership.
McCann feels Warburton's side will continue to get better and believes they will be tough for others to overcome.
He said: "I said Rangers will have a really strong challenge from Hibs this season. I felt Alan Stubbs got on to the mark very early in the close season and tried to recruit well.
"He has added another couple and whether he'll get the funds to go and add some more I don't know.
"I always felt Mark Warburton would be a fantastic addition to the Rangers staff to get the club going again. Without doubt, they are the team that need catching this season.
"He came with a very high pedigree and is very highly regarded in England. A lot of people – including myself – were very surprised to see him lose his job at Brentford.
"He knew the market really well down there and has brought real excitement to the Rangers team. They'll lose goals – there's no doubt about that – but he has them playing a real brand of football.
"I can only see them getting better and stronger. As the season goes on, they gain points and gain momentum, I can only see them continuing to strengthen."
