Stand-in Hertha Berlin boss Mark Fotheringham stood his ground when a German reporter hit him with a poorly judged question about Braveheart.
The Scot was on the touchline after boss Felix Magath tested positive for Covid and led Hertha to an impressive 3-0 win over Hoffenheim.
Fotheringham, who played for six clubs in Scotland including Celtic and both Dundee sides, currently serves as Magath’s No.2.
And he was happy to step in and help his side to a big Bundesliga victory.
But the 38-year-old’s dream dugout debut was tainted somewhat when a reporter asked him if he’d shown his players the famous Mel Gibson movie Braveheart to get them motivated.
A stunned Fotheringham responded in fluent German: “That’s not funny what you’re saying about Braveheart. I’m a serious, young coach.
“I’ve learned a lot. I don’t know what you mean by that – about Braveheart and so on. What’s that all about?”
He was then asked about his tactics – but said that’s all down to the main man Magath.
And he wasn’t revealing much beyond that as he quoted Sir Alex Ferguson and gave the reporter an insight into the Scottish football mindset.
In quotes translated by broadcaster Derek Rae, he went on: “Did we play 4-1-4-1? I don’t concentrate on tactics, people. I concentrate on distance.
“Sir Alex Ferguson once said we play 4-4-2 but with a diamond or 4-3-3. Look, I’m working for one of the best known coaches in world football. I’m not concentrating on tactics – I don’t care about that.
“I focus purely on my task, on the pitch day in day out. Tactics don’t interest me, that’s just how it is. The lads gelled well with us & there was good distance between the defence and the first line & there were no spaces to play in between them. That’s how it was.
“The boss was always there, speaking. That’s the great thing about modern technology but what we discuss stays between us. They say in Scotland what you say in the dressing room stays in the dressing room. So that’s the way we work.
