Gillingham manager Steve Evans will need no introduction to his West Ham counterpart David Moyes on Sunday.

The two were once members of the same team at Celtic Boys Club and competed against each other on the field in later years. This weekend’s FA Cup third round fixture will be the first time they have come head to head as managers.

Evans said: “He is a good man, I have a lot of respect for him, we have a fantastic relationship but I dearly want to beat him.

“I will welcome David and look forward to the bottle of red he’s going to bring me. It better be a good one Moysey, no skinties!”

Both were born in Glasgow and enjoyed plenty of success as juniors before heading their separate ways. They have kept in touch ever since.

Recalling those days, Evans said: “David was a big centre-half and I was a little striker. I have a lot of respect for David, we grew up together, we won all of the competitions that Celtic Boys Club normally win, we won them all and we won them together.

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“He went onto Celtic and I went to Bolton Wanderers and then I went back home and played against David a few times, lost because they are Celtic!”

Moyes’ playing career included a long spell at Preston where he was a captain and team-mate of Gills’ assistant manager Paul Raynor.

“He knows both of us really well,” Evans continued.

“I have always kept in touch with David and his brother Kenny is also a good friend of mine. We have always kept in touch and he was enormously helpful when he was at Everton and Manchester United.”

Moyes has just replaced sacked Manuel Pellegrini as manager of the Hammers and took charge of his first game on Wednesday, beating Bournemouth 4-0.

Evans has avoided making contact ahead of their weekend meeting, saying: “The reason I didn’t message him was because of the cup tie. I was so desperate to text or ring him.

“The last time David was at West Ham, he said he could really relate to the people. He is one of us, he is a foot soldier. He may be a very wealthy man now because of his football success, but he never forgets where he comes from.”