Ally McCoist has leapt to the defence of Ange Postecoglou and blasted treatment of him in the English media.
The ex-Celtic boss yesterday hit back at a reporter who had claimed he was teetering on the brink of either being a hero or a clown ahead of Tottenham's date with destiny against Manchester United tonight.
It has been a nightmare second season in charge of Spurs for the Aussie as they finished just outside the relegation spots in the Premier League, although well clear in terms of points.
However, there could be a dream ending if they can emerge victorious from the Europa League final and deliver Postecoglou's promise of winning something in his second season.
One reporter had made the "clown" claim in the Evening Standard and the Spurs boss, clearly unhappy, blasted back after a question from the same reporter in his press conference to preview the showpiece clash.
Answering Dan Hutchison's question, Postecoglou said: "That depends on your outlook, Dan.
"But I'll tell you one thing, tomorrow, I'm not a clown, and I never will be, mate.
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"You've really disappointed me that you've used such terminology about a person who, for 26 years, without any favours from anyone, has worked his way to a position where he's leading a club out in a final of a European major competition, for you to suggest that somehow, us not being successful means that I'm a clown, I'm not really sure how to answer that question."
Rangers hero McCoist is right behind the former Celts manager and insists he was well within his rights to stand up for himself.
Speaking on talkSPORT, he said: "He's quite right. It's a ridiculous question."
Asked whether Postecoglou would have been better laughing the situation, McCoist went on: "I think he's well within his rights. I think it's a ridiculous question. I think it's a stupid question.
"To label him a clown, it's just wrong on so many counts.
"So I think he's well entitled to fight his corner. I think it's a stupid question.
"I know what you're saying, sometimes it's maybe better to let it go in one ear and out the other. My own opinion, I thought that overstepped the mark.
"I think he did kind of bat if off to be honest with you. He let him know he wasn't happy. I'd have found it stranger if he'd not reacted to that.
"I think that overstepped the mark, Al, by a distance. I'm with Ange on this one mate.
"That's personal. That's got nothing to do with his ability to coach, manage or pick a team or get results, that's way above that. That's not the game for me. I'm in Big Ange's corner all day with that one."
