Playful Ally McCoist sidestepped sparring partner's Chris Sutton's loaded Rangers jibe over Scottish referees joining Steven Gerrard in the English Premier League.
The new Aston Villa boss previously addressed "social media" swirls that the Ibrox side were beneficiaries of favourable decisions in the wake of Fashion Sakala's controversial penalty award in the 2-2 draw with Aberdeen.
Sutton and McCoist were at their mischievous best on BT's Scottish Football Extra as the duo sat down with host Darrell Currie for a Gerrard special in the wake of his abrupt Ibrox departure.
But the Rangers icon wasn't having of the Celtic legend's claims that the Liverpool icon underperformed during his three-and-a-half years in the Ibrox dugout.
Sutton said: "Steven Gerrard had the backing, Dave King was a big ally and backed him financially.
"Rangers have spent a fortune under Gerrard, you can't get away from that fact.
"He has improved the squad, respectability in Europe has been a big deal.
"But over the whole piece, Gerrard could have done a much better job at Rangers.
"I think he will recognise and realise that. One trophy out of nine hasn't been good enough.
"He improved Rangers but you've got to say he's left them in the lurch."
But McCoist instantly responded: "At the present time, Rangers are in a far better place than when Gerrard came.
"There's no argument about that.
"In terms of the market we're in, what a job it is.
"Are you kidding me on? It's a fantastic job! You're sitting four points clear, win your next game in Europe and there's a chance you qualify for the latter stages, again.
"It's a brilliant job for somebody, absolutely fantastic."
And that led to a final retort from the Englishman who couldn't resists a playful jibe about Scottish football's men in black heading south with Gerrard.
Sutton said: "Do you think it'll disappoint Gerrard that he couldn't take Beaton, Madden and Robertson down south?"
His comment earned a smile from McCoist and Currie before the man in the blue corner came back with a final one-liner.
He responded: "They might be first three in the window in January! I don't know, but watch this space!"
