When Dundee United were seeking permission to speak to Tommy Wright and John Hughes the chances of both men being in opposite dug-outs for an Inverness v St Johnstone game looked remote.
But the two clubs that meet in the Highlands this afternoon kept hold of their men, and a player who knows both well believes that’s cause for celebration for the two sets of fans.
Saints defender Tam Scobbie said: “It didn’t surprise me at all that Dundee United were showing interest in John Hughes and Tommy Wright when they were looking around for a new manager.
“Look what the gaffer here has done with us. He has taken us into Europe, won a cup and we’ve been top six regularly.
“Given that record it’s totally understandable clubs are going to come after him. It’s the same with Yogi up at Inverness after winning the Scottish Cup last season.
“I was actually surprised clubs hadn’t been knocking at our door before now for the manager.
“Thankfully we have managed to keep him and he has signed a new long term deal.
“That’s great for the guys playing under him and also for the fans. They like the way he runs things, the way we play football and pick up results. We want that to continue.
“It is similar at Inverness. People know Yogi likes to get the ball down and pass it. He has had success at other clubs.
“With their track records to see the two guys linked with the United job was only to be expected.
“Both sets of fans will be relieved to see the same managers in the dug outs for this game. They were desperately hoping to hold onto their men and see them progressing their clubs.”
Scobbie, who played under Hughes at Falkirk, added: “United are steeped in history and have some good young players coming through. So it is a massive positive for both clubs that they have seen off interest from a club like Dundee United in their managers.
“Both managers know they are on to good things at their clubs. They are both ambitious and want to take them further.
“But managers move on when they have been doing well, winning trophies and making the top six, so it is likely others will be keeping an eye on the pair of them.
“If they keep doing well you can bet someone else will come calling.”
Saints are hovering under the top six line, and they want to get on the other side of it as soon as possible.
“The quicker we get there the better,” said Scobbie.
“Some other teams think they have had fantastic starts to the season and we aren’t far behind them.
“Our start hasn’t been terrible, we are three points better off than last year, and we’d have been up to fourth if we had won against Partick. That shows the table is still tight.
“Further down the line we can re-evaluate where we are and hopefully will are in the top six.
“We are renowned for coming on strong in the last 10 or 12 games, certainly in the years I have been at the club. We always seem to push ourselves up the table late on in the season but it would be good to get in there earlier.”