Mixu Paatelainen says he was left "s*******" himself after an angry touchline spat with Walter Smith.
The incident happened during a heated Rangers v Hibs Scottish Cup clash in 2008.
Paatelainen was unhappy with a challenge from ex Ibrox striker Nacho Novo and told his players to stay calm as the Rangers man would be sent packing.
However Smith reacted furiously after believing Mixu was trying to get his man sent off.
Paatelainen told the Football Daft podcast : “I’ve got so much respect for Walter Smith. Fantastic coach, fantastic person, all that.
“But, of course, during the match anything can happen, even to a gentleman like Walter Smith. And nice, most innocent guy from Scandinavia, Mixu Paatelainen.
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“So what happened was, our player was tackled right close to the sideline. It was a late and dirty tackle.
“I jumped off my bench and went right to the edge of my technical area and I shouted to my player: ‘Don’t react, don’t react, he’s off, he’s off.’
“Ibrox, Ibrox, you know, the noise, couldn’t hear a thing.
“I turned to go back to my seat and Walter was there, in my technical area, he was there.
“And I said to him: ‘Get off. Would you please exit my technical area.’ It was really heated, so, ‘beat it’.
“And then Walter was sent to the stands, I wasn’t, I’m happy to say."
Mixu explained that it was a post-match tradition which left him most worried.
He added: “After the game obviously you that tradition is that visiting manager goes to the host manger’s office for a cup of tea or a glass of wine, whatever.
“And we talk about the match, whatever, the next opponents and all that… and I’m s****** myself.
“Walter Smith – I’m a novice, a young manager. I said to my assistant, right let’s go, you first…
“We got to the manager’s door and I just opened it a little bit and peeked in.
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“And he noticed me just peeking in and he says: ‘Big man, come in come in.’
“He came to me, hugged me: ‘Big man, how can I apologise enough?’
“And I said: ‘How can I apologise enough, what I told you?’
“Then we just laughed it all off – brilliant.”
