HOW ironic that the last man to be discarded without rhyme or reason by Dundee chief executive Peter Marr received a reward for his managerial expertise on the day that his successor at Dens Park, Jocky Scott, was instructed to clear his desk.

Two years ago, John McCormack was sacked by Marr despite taking Dundee to the brink of promotion from the first division. It was no surprise. He knew it was coming but did not understand why. Doubtless that is how Scott, whose fate was also sealed several months before the official death knell sounded, feels this morning.

However, as ''Cowboy'' picked up the Bell's third division manager of the year award for leading Queen's Park to the championship, he could not muster any words of sympathy for Scott. He is far too honest for that. He remains as bitter now as he was two years ago by the fact that Scott, a coach at Dundee during his days as a player, knew all along that he was going to replace him.

What goes around, comes around was not too far from his mind as he broke off his acceptance speech to comment on the plight of the club he still holds so dear. ''I do not have any sympathy for him but I wouldn't wish it on anybody. He knew what was happening with myself and he knew what he was taking on. He was well in with them (Marr brothers) and that's the way it goes. I know what they are like and so does he.''

McCormick is, however, concerned by the way the club is being run and could not hide his contempt for the men in charge. ''I still have great feelings for Dundee, and I am disappointed that they are not getting the consistency they need. Of course I am going to have concerns. Remember, I worked there, for no expenses, and got them into the League Cup final and to the top of the first division but still got the sack.

''I was somebody who came in as a Dundee supporter and was very disappointed by the way it turned out.''

Italian brothers Ivano and Dario Bonetti, \who enjoyed long and illustrious careers in their home country, will be in place for the start of next season, and although he is not familiar with their track records as coaches, McCormick hopes the Marr brothers have made the right decision for the club. ''Who knows, maybe they are going to be stronger next year but for me the club needs continuity.''

While Scott will have to wait until another managerial casualty clears the way for a return to the game, McCormick is using his experience at Dundee to drive the Spiders on to greater things, and already has delivered only their fourth title in their 133-year existence.

Although he was appointed as the first full-time coach of the amateur club, much of his time during the day is spent on the office as his players earn a living. While he admits he misses the day-to-day running of a professional club, he is happy just to be a part of something so rewarding.

''This club have been fair to me,'' he said, which was evidently not the case at his previous workplace. ''They gave me a chance to get back into the game and I hope that I have rewarded them over the last two years. The main ingredient for me has been enthusiasm. I am a winner and it was important that the players were as well. These boys receive nothing from the game financially - they do it for the satisfaction and winning the league was a great achievement. I have always wanted to win something as a manager and now that has been realised . . . and now I realise you do get a hunger for it.''

Queen's Park secured the league title with a 3-2 victory against Cowdenbeath on Saturday and that instigated something of a lost weekend for ''Cowboy.'' He has taken the trophy on a mini tour encompassing the QPFC social club, his family and friends, and the front window of his house.

Sleep has been the last thing on his mind but as the celebrations caught up with him on Sunday evening, his wife, Gail, was startled to discover the sparkling piece of silver in the bedroom. She was fortunate, joked McCormack, that she was not kicked out of bed as he had great difficulty in removing it from his vice-like embrace.

''I am totally on a high and very proud of what I have achieved. Nobody can take it away from me,'' he said. His confidence is such that he expects the Spiders to climb their way up the second division next term, even although the bookies do not share his optimism.

''People expect us to struggle in the second division but I will start the campaign hoping to win the league, you have to do that if you want to be a success,'' he said. ''We will work hard and I will try to keep this broad smile on my face.

''The players have been flying this year and if we can keep hold of them, we should be alright. That will be the difficult part, though. Some players knocked back moves to senior clubs during the season because they wanted this moment so badly and already a few have come up and told me that they want to stay on.

''Their loyalty has been fantastic and I wouldn't have won this award if we had not stayed together. It is not just for me, but it is for the players and all the back-room staff who have contributed so much.''

McCormack was joined at Hampden Park by St Mirren's Tom Hendrie and Clyde's Allan Maitland, the first and second division managers of the year respectively. Saints' top scorer Mark Yardley and the Bully Wee's Scotland Under-21 internationalist Brian Carrigan received the player of the year and young player of the year accolades.