STUART GELLING insists that he wasn't being "disrespectful" instead believing he's been "misunderstood" after copping flak for a pre-match interview.

Gelling has come in for criticism on social media for what he said in an interview with Sgorio ahead of Cefn Druids' Welsh Cup quarter-final tie with Caernarfon, who ran out 4-0 winners.

The Cefn Druids head coach, appointed on February 5, was asked: "What do you know about how big this tie is this evening, there's been a lot of looking forward to this one?"

Gelling replied: "I know it's very important because it's the quarter-final of a cup and we want to go forward, but how big it is...I've always been totally honest and I haven't followed Welsh football for the last 20 years, but I know the lads are excited about it and there's interest in the game, for sure."

Fans of Welsh football were quick to jump on Gelling's words about the game in this country, labelling the interview, amongst other things, as a "car crash", "embarrassing" and "underwhelming".

But Gelling has defended his choice of words, insisting that he's learning about the game of football in Wales after adventures around the globe.

"They were honest comments and I'm always honest," said Gelling. "The comments were not meant to be negative in any way, but this is something new for me, in terms of Welsh football.

"When you are in a job you concentrate fully on that and when I went to work in Japan I watched 100 games to try and get to grips with everything.

"I'm watching a lot of Welsh games now trying to know everything I can about the league and I won't be disrespectful about any level of football because I love the game.

"I am focusing on this job now and that means watching games in the league - I watched Aberystwyth's last game on Monday morning ahead of this weekend's game.

"I'm a bit disappointed that what I've said has been misunderstood, but it is a new environment and one I am enjoying being a part of and getting to know.

"When I went to Japan I hadn't watched a Japanese game, but I learned and that's what I'm doing now I'm in Welsh football with Cefn Druids."

Gelling was thrown straight into the deep end at The Rock, the 46-year-old's appointment coming just a matter of days after Huw Griffiths had parted company with the Ancients.

After watching the victory over Airbus from the sidelines, Gelling took charge of the 1-0 loss at Carmarthen, before the cup clash with Caernarfon.

"It all happened really quickly," continued Gelling. "I was asked if I would take over and help the club out until the end of the season and I agreed.

"I didn't have a few weeks to watch games of the league, but I've been doing plenty of homework now I'm here and I'm enjoying the challenge.

"It's been great working with the lads on the training pitch even though results haven't been as we'd have hoped."