War of words spices up Ross County v Falkirk
Last updated on .From the section Football
Spice has been added to Saturday's top-of-the-table clash between Division One leaders Ross County and Falkirk after a war of words involving three managers.
County's Derek Adams says he used Partick Thistle counterpart Jackie McNamara's match programme words to inspire his side to a 1-0 win.
But Falkirk's Steven Pressley has since backed McNamara's assertion that leaders County have the biggest budget in the First Division.
McNamara has defended his own comments.
"I wasn't being disrespectful," he told BBC Scotland. "If anything, he has been by going to the press about it.
"I praised him in the club programme at Partick on Saturday.
"I think they have a great squad and I praised his team, saying that they have probably got the biggest budget in our league.
"Which they have undoubtedly, whether he admits it or not.
"Maybe he doesn't know, I don't know."
McNamara argues that being able to attract good players to the league's most northerly club showed their financial muscle.
"He has a big squad, experienced players who have come down from the SPL as well," said McNamara.
"I am not saying anything bad. He says it was disrespectful.
"I don't see me praising his team and saying he's bought well as being disrespectful.
"I praised his team and I don't think that should merit him going to the press to say I motivated his team to beat us."
Pressley has been quoted as backing McNamara's words ahead of his own side's visit to Victoria Park, where the Bairns will aim for a win that would put them level on points with County.
"To be honest, many people would back me up, but I don't think Elvis would be one of them," joked McNamara.
"I don't need Elvis to do the talking for me.
"I have no problems with Derek Adams, but he has instigated the whole episode."
Adams rejected the offer to respond personally on BBC Radio Scotland.
However, he issued a statement, saying: "We would like to concentrate on what should be an exciting game at the weekend.
"We have an illness running through the squad with which I am dealing."
Adams revealed that four players had missed training on Thursday, while a total of eight had been struck by the illness.
