THEY were side by side at the heart of Everton’s defence and took their first steps into the dugout together on Merseyside.

But the former team-mates and colleagues are now title rivals, fighting it out for the one prize and the biggest success of their coaching careers to date.

Having lined up alongside each other on the park and the touchline at Goodison Park, David Weir and Alan Stubbs will be on opposite sides of the battle lines at Ibrox tomorrow.

Rangers assistant manager Weir has already landed a significant blow on Stubbs this term, the 6-2 win at Easter Road on the opening day of the campaign a sign of what was to follow as the Light Blues have stormed out of the traps this term.

It is three crucial Championship points rather than a cup place that is at stake this time, however, the Sunday showdown giving Rangers a chance to move six points clear of their title rivals.

The Weir versus Stubbs angle adds another layer of intrigue to what is already a highly charged and high stakes duel as Rangers and Hibs bid for a Premiership place.

And former Scotland striker and Toffees legend Graeme Sharp knows both men will have their sights firmly set on success this season.

“Both are quite quiet, David is probably quieter than Alan, but they worked well together at Everton,” Sharp told SportTimes.

“They did a good job there and everyone that worked with them respected them.

“Now they have got different jobs and they will have good careers in management.

“They both had great careers and they both know football, they are no mugs. It is now a case of them going and finding their level.

“David will have a big say as assistant. It would be interesting to know what David wants to do, does he see himself as a number one again or is he happy to be an assistant? If he can help bring success to Rangers alongside Mark Warburton, he will be delighted.

“For Alan, and this is no disrespect to Hibs, he will want to do the best he can in his career and if he can do well there it could bring him to the attention of clubs down south. Both guys are in very big jobs.

“Having spoken to Alan a couple of weeks ago, he is really enjoying it and he spoke very highly of Hibernian.

“They are geared to be a Premiership club and both Alan and David will want their clubs in the Premiership where they belong.”

The meeting between the two main Championship title challengers this weekend was always likely to be a crucial affair but events of recent days and weeks have only heightened the anticipation ahead of kick-off.

Stubbs was vocal during Rangers’ ultimately unsuccessful pursuit of Scott Allan and fired a shot towards Ibrox on Wednesday when he claimed boss Warburton had a ‘very easy’ job rebuilding his squad this summer.

Warburton offered a quick rebuttal in the aftermath of the Petrofac Training Cup win over Ayr United but the off-field goings on will add to the spice to the mix for a crunch clash.

Sharp said: “I think sometimes it is taken out of context.

“With the Allan situation, I think Alan was within his rights to have his stance.

“Why should he sell to one of his rivals when it could help them get promoted above you?

“I think he was within his rights to say Allan wasn’t for sale to Rangers. Celtic came in and he has lost his best player and that will be a hindrance for him.

“There are certain ways of doing things and Alan was obviously upset at the way the dealings were done. A lot was in the Press.

“Alan and David are genuine guys, as is Mark, and they don’t want everything splashed across the back pages. I don’t think there was any mischief in it.

“It is an interesting one but both sets of fans and players will be fired up for the game, as will the opposition dugouts.

“Hopefully it is a decent game and we can put any animosity to bed and get on with the season.”

Rangers may have sprinted out of the blocks this season but even victory at Ibrox would not be decisive in the marathon title race.

The Light Blues have scored 19 goals as they have won their first five fixtures this term and fans have been wowed by the Warburton way.

But Glaswegian Sharp, who won eight medals during his glittering Goodison career, reckons the second showdown of the season could be closer affair.

He said: “It is still early in the season but Rangers have started very well and are looking strong. It looks as if Mark and David have got them very galvanised.

“They want to play a certain style of football and I think he has invested very well. They have got some good players.

“Rangers have started really well but Hibs aren’t out of it and even if they lose at the weekend there is still a long, long way to go.

“Rangers are favourites, especially if they can put one over on Hibs again, but I thought Hibs were the better team in the first half of the 6-2 game and the score flattered Rangers. I don’t think it will be as emphatic this time.”