LIFE as an Old Firm manager can be a lonely existence at times. Indeed, the only man who knows how you feel and what you are going through is the one on the opposite side of the city.
Alex McLeish revelled in the rivalry but always maintained a respect for his Celtic counterpart as he and Martin O'Neill, and latterly lifelong friend Gordon Strachan, went head-to-head for the silverware and the bragging rights.
Two decades on, the names have changed but the requirements of the job are just as stressful and just as demanding. First is first, and second is nowhere.
The current incumbents at Ibrox and Parkhead are well versed in the Old Firm goldfish bowl but there is an appreciation and recognition between Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Ange Postecoglou.
The Dutchman ended his first term back in Glasgow with a Scottish Cup win and run to the Europa League final. His opposite number, meanwhile, landed a league and cup double.
In a matter of weeks, the games will begin again and the hostilities, in a sporting sense, will be reconvened as Rangers aim to regain the Premiership crown and land domestic honours whilst embarking on another continental campaign.
It is set to be a thrilling, dramatic fight to the finish as both Van Bronckhorst and Postecoglou look to lead their sides in the right manner on and off the park and the margins could once again be tight as the Old Firm bring out the best in each other.
"It is going to be a huge season coming up and it is even more important now for Giovanni to go head-to-head with Ange Postecoglou," McLeish, who joined former foe O'Neill back in Glasgow earlier this week at a Premier Sports media day, said as he looked ahead to the new campaign.
"The gap was just four points in the end last season. It was pretty close.
"If you go back to the days when the helicopter was in the air, the games every single week, throughout the whole season, mattered so much. One goal, one point. That is coming back and looks like it is back.
"The rivalry was fantastic back in the day between Martin and I. I remember him saying that we would need to go out for a wee drink with the girls one night and I was like ‘Hello!’
"Even when it was Gordon and my wife and Lesley are pally. But even Gordon mentioned it and I said ‘we will see how many weeks it goes before you call me!’ It is just so intense.
"It will be great to see these two going head-to-head next year and you would think that Giovanni would have his wee black book of players he wants to bring in to put his stamp on the team as well.
"I know he has already done that with his coaching methods but you would think that he has some players up his sleeve."
Van Bronckhorst followed in the footsteps of Rangers royalty by leading his side to victory at Hampden last month. Just days before, he missed out on a place in the history books in Seville.
Europa League glory may have evaded the 47-year-old but he now has a chance to regroup and rebuild ahead of his first full campaign as manager as he guides Rangers into what supporters hope will be a bright future.
McLeish was a guest at a reception - hosted by the Secretary of State for Scotland, The Rt Hon. Alister Jack - in London on Wednesday night as the UK Government paid tribute to Rangers and marked their 150th anniversary.
The trophies that McLeish added to the illustrious roll of honour remain cherished. They are special memories for a man who held office at Ibrox with such distinction.
"It has been mentioned many times about the Rangers Family," McLeish said. "Once you get a taste of Rangers, it takes a grip of you. Believe me.
"That is certainly what has happened in the last couple of years with the rise and rise of the club to the events that we have seen in recent times – winning the league last year, the European final and culminating in winning the Scottish Cup. They were all incredible highs for Rangers.
"It was great to play a part and to work with so many great players to win the trophies that we won in my time, along with my brilliant staff.
"We tried to follow in the footsteps of legends like Walter Smith, Souness, Struth, Jock Wallace, Greigy, I could go on and on.
"These guys are fantastic legends of Rangers and it was such a privilege to manage the team that I adored growing up as a kid in Glasgow."
Time will tell what else Van Bronckhorst can achieve as he seeks to join those legendary figures of yesteryear and deliver the sustained success that supporters have waited so long for as recent times have been endured and enjoyed.
Title 55, the run to Seville and the Scottish Cup are key chapters in the Rangers tale. McLeish knows it is a story that will have many more twists and turns to come.
McLeish said: "It gets a grip of some people, it gets a grip of everybody. Wherever you go, even at Chelsea – I mentioned Dave Barnard tonight and he is one of the Chelsea directors – and every time I go to a Chelsea game someone will recognise me and say ‘Hey Alex, the blue brothers!’ It would be nice to get an affiliation with Chelsea over the years.
"We have come a tremendously long way since a few devastating, upsetting years and that is a great credit to the club, but more importantly the fans.
"For me, when you are a manager, people say what is the thing you want to do most and you probably say win. But for me it was pleasing the fans because if the fans are pleased then you are winning. That is my message to the fans."
