Databinding methods such as Eval(), XPath(), and Bind() can only be used in the context of a databound control
Its too late but i would like to answer it in my way, what i used to achieve it:
<%# Eval("Message").toString()== HttpContext.Current.Profile.UserName)?"<asp:ImageButton runat="server" etc.... />" :""%>
Now this will only show image button if Message is equal to username.
This might help any one else in same situation.
In my situation i needed to check null and empty string...so i implemented like this below:
<%# Eval("DateString")!= null && Eval("DateString")!= ""? "<span class='date'>"+Eval("DateString") + "</span>":"" %>
Thanks