You could say it was Ally McCoist's ultimate Question of Sport; the managerial hot seat at Rangers or the cosy embrace of the swivel chairs in the TV studio?

McCoist was back on the box last week, delivering his chirpy analysis as part of ITV's coverage of the Scotland versus England match. Given that affairs at Ibrox remain about as comfortable as a night on a bed of nails, the relatively tranquil haven of the punditry booth must have felt as welcoming as an eiderdown duvet.

McCoist is made of sterner stuff, of course. "Don't get me wrong: punditry is a great job but it doesn't have the intensity or the pressure of this job," he said. "I'm not sure whether that's a good or a bad thing, which is why I'm not sure I enjoy management. But there's no substitute.

"There's no place like being out there on the training ground. That's the greatest thing of the lot. Being with the boys, watching training and taking part in the preparation. I have to be honest and say that enjoyment is not a word I would use to describe how I feel when I'm watching my team play football...and I would be the same as a supporter.

"Playing is the best, by some considerable way. The next biggest intensity is coaching and management. And the next best thing after that is sitting in the studio with your feet up with a cup of tea and chocolate biscuit.

"That intensity can be like an addiction. I'm not sure there's a replacement for that buzz but there comes a stage in everyone's life when you might miss the intensity but you don't need it."

Scotland may have gone down 3-1 to their old foes but at least McCoist managed to pull off one tartan triumph on the night. "I had England at 3-1 in the sweep," he said. "There probably hasn't been a more unpopular winner of a sweep in ITV's history."