the error: if Expression syntax means your remote login is using the csh shell, instead of, say bash that supports doing if's on the command line.
Is there anyway to change the shell of your user on the box you're deploying too.
you'd have to issue:
sudo usermod -s /bin/bash <username>
there may be a way to ssh in and change your own shell, it's entirely possible, but it is a root activity.
hope that helps,