ALLY McCOIST bounced back into the limelight yesterday and even managed to joke about his turbulent love life.

He broke cover for the first time since admitting his affair with actress Patsy Kensit.

But the footballer-turned-pundit was all smiles when he attended a Scottish People's Film festival event before the premiere of his first movie, A Shot At Glory.

Ally hugged comedienne and actress Elaine C. Smith and joked to cameramen: "I just hope you haven't got photographs of us kissing."

The former Scotland star seemed to have emerged from a traumatic week with his bubbly confidence intact as he shared football banter with Celtic diehard Elaine and Hibs fan, film star Dougray Scott.

At one stage Dougray was asked if he would like to star in a film as a footballer. He replied: "I couldn't play like Ally McCoist."

Ally said: "You can now."

And he dissolved in laughter as Elaine interrupted: "Even I can now."

Ally went on to reveal how he made his big break on to the big screen just by being himself during a dinner with Hollywood legend, Robert Duvall.

Ally said: "I got a phone call from Rangers secretary Campbell Ogilvie, who said Robert Duvall was in town and wanted to meet me at the Hilton.

"I thought this must be the biggest wind-up ever. But I walked into the Hilton at 5pm and, sure enough, there was Robert Duvall and the director, Michael Corrente," Ally said.

"Robert asked me if I would be interested in doing a film about football and I said absolutely, I would definitely be interested. "We had a chit chat for about 10 minutes and Robert said they would be in London the following week and could I join them there for dinner.

"I happened to be in London anyway, and we had dinner. We were chatting during coffee and Robert said: 'That's it. You're in.'

"I said: 'Are you not going to give me a screen test? I believe you guys do things like that.'

"He just said it was nice to meet me and he enjoyed my crack over dinner and that was it."

In the film, Ally's character makes a stand against sectarianism and the man who was once the scourge of Parkhead is even seen in a Celtic jersey.

He pointed out that Elaine is a great Celtic fan and he is Rangers' "biggest fan" yet they enjoy each other's company. He added: "I wish the punters could see how well the Rangers and Celtic players get on. We may be going hammer and tongs for 90 minutes, but later we all have a beer and a laugh."

He did concede that the rest of the film crew "fell about laughing" the first time he pulled on the hoops of Celtic.

Shot of Glory was premiered last night in Glasgow and Ally said: "I can't emphasise enough how important it is that the film is premiered in Glasgow.

"It is a film about Scottish football, something close to everybody's hearts. It is a working class game that touches everybody - schoolkids and families."

Dougray Scott's film, Enigma, is also being shown at the People's Film Festival, sponsored by the Sunday Mail and McEwan's. Elaine C. Smith stars in Women Talking Dirty which is also being screened during the festival.

Dougray movingly described how watching his father perform every day as a salesman inspired his acting career.

When asked what inspired her, Elaine replied: "Henrik Larsson."

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