Reid and Lennon face the Old Firm in SPL action this weekend

By John Barnes and David Currie

Hamilton manager Billy Reid and St Mirren counterpart Danny Lennon have stressed that managers should set an example to players by their behaviour.

Their remarks follow the touchline spat between Celtic's Neil Lennon and Rangers assistant Ally McCoist.

Lennon said: "What we've got to do in the public eye is to set the right tone in how we deal with things."

And Reid stated: "There's a line you can't cross, but sometimes people overstep that."

Reid on Saturday takes his team to Celtic Park, the scene of Wednesday's Old Firm Scottish Cup tie, which pointed to a simmering feud between Lennon and McCoist.

"Some managers will think they are hard done-by, some managers will think things are going well for them and they're standing up for their club," said the Accies boss.

"That's the way I look at it, but there's a line you can't cross and I've managed to stay clear of that."

I've never been in trouble or up in front of anyone in eight or nine years of managing Hamilton Academical manager Billy Reid

Reid has an unblemished disciplinary record since becoming a manager, but he has some sympathy for the two Old Firm bosses and the pressure they are under.

"It's difficult for them," claimed the Accies boss . "They're managing two huge clubs, it's a passionate derby game and obviously things like that can't happen between managers - but it does, it's part of football and we just move on.

"We're all passionate about our football clubs - or we should be or we shouldn't be in the job.

"When there are 60,000 people there and it's a cup game, there are a lot of incidents on the park.

"There's a line you can't cross. I've managed to stay clear of that.

"I've never been in trouble or up in front of anyone in eight or nine years of managing, so I think we should realise that line."

Events at Celtic Park have led to criticism from the police and a summons to both clubs from Scotland's First Minister, Alex Salmond.

"I can understand the melee which is going on at the moment, " said Reid.

"The problem for me is, if events on the park lead to stuff off the park, that's where it becomes a wee bit wrong.

"But I don't know how much influence the clubs can have on that."

The Accies boss admits he does not think next week's summit involving politicians, police and the clubs will greatly ease the situation.

"It's Celtic Football Club and Rangers Football Club and the history between them," he said.

"It's a fantastic derby game everyone in the world wants to see and I don't think we should change that.

"Things, I'm not saying got out of hand, but it did get silly at times the other evening.

"But it's watchable for everybody and I think the game was overshadowed by that."

Buddies boss Lennon, whose side will face Rangers at St Mirren Park on Sunday, expects less tension on the touchline than there was at Celtic Park in midweek.

''I've never been involved in an Old Firm match, so I can only guess what it's like," added Lennon.

"I'm sure if you ask the Old Firm now, they'd do things differently.

''Everybody has a wee bit of passion and sometimes you do things, but you have to remember who we are and what we do.

''I'm a passionate man, but I believe, if you show a chink in your armour, it'll affect how you do your job.''

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