Neil Warnock spoke about the Ibrox ball boys’ tactics after his first game as Aberdeen boss ended with a tense 2-1 defeat by Rangers which took the hosts level on points with cinch Premiership leaders Celtic.
The 75-year-old, appointed until the end of the season, saw his side go behind early to a Rabbi Matondo goal and while Dons striker Bojan Miovski levelled at the end of the first half, Todd Cantwell restored Rangers’ lead in the 73rd minute.
Rangers second-half substitute Dujon Sterling was shown a red card by referee Don Robertson in the 88th minute for a tackle on Jack MacKenzie – the official sticking with his decision despite the VAR asking him to check his pitchside monitor.
But the Light Blues saw out eight added minutes to move on to 58 points with Celtic, who have a superior goal difference.
Warnock said: “It was my type of game that. My type of atmosphere. When you get the ball boys wasting time at the end in the last 10 minutes you know you’re doing well, don’t you?
“They must be coached very well, are they coached with the first team? They throw it back when they are losing and when they are winning they hide the ball under their jumpers.
“I didn’t think you did that at this level. That was a new one for me that.”
Warnock was impressed with Miovski who scored his 20th goal of the season with a clever finish.
He said: “I said to him yesterday, ‘I’ve not seen one of you in the Premier League, never let alone in Scotland. I think he’ll get 30 goals for me this season. I said to him, ‘I’m glad the window is closed. You’ve got me now and I’ve got you’
“He’s super, a good lad with a good attitude. You don’t normally get strikers who work their socks off but he does that.
“And it was great to see a referee go across (to monitor) and not change his mind. We don’t get that in England.”
Rangers boss Philippe Clement will consider whether to appeal against Sterling’s red card, which he thought was harsh.
He said: “Yes, that’s something we need to decide as a club. I never make these decisions alone. It was a harsh decision for me. Dujon slipped and he hits the toes of the opponent.
“I didn’t see until now many red cards that you touch the opponent at his toes. If I look back, I cannot remember one moment.”
Clement was pleased with the unity shown in what was a hard-fought victory.
He said: “You get a knock there just before half-time and then it is important to stay calm and to continue what you are doing, not start to doubt.
“It is a big difference with a few months ago that the belief stays and everybody keeps on pushing to get the result. That was one circumstance and then the second is the red card 10 minutes before the end of the game.
“You need to struggle in those minutes, although it was not really a struggle. We even had chances to score a goal because we kept on going but it made it more difficult to finish the game.
“Maybe at the end it is good to show everybody how aligned everybody is in the club now, the fans and players, because it was amazing to feel this energy out of the stands in the last 10 minutes.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. PORTUGAL WIN THE UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE ON PENALTIES Nuno Mendes 😎 Anti Right Winger Morata : Me again? Congratulations Portugal & Ronaldo Kepa in Arsenal be like I am sorry. Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: BleacherReportFootball, Justtoonit, originaltrollfootball)...
PSG get talks underway with Bournemouth for ZabarnyiFabrizio Romano reports that PSG are determined to sign Ilya Zabarnyi this summer. While talks are underway with Bournemouth, the two clubs have not yet reached an agreement. The player remains keen to join Les Parisiens.Everton join Newcastle in race to sign GrealishEverton are interesting in acquiring the services of Manchester City outcast Jac...
WHAT HAPPENED?Napoli striker Osimhen has reportedly made up his mind on his future, and it seems like it won't include a sensational move to the Middle East. This comes from a scoop from journalist Buchi Laba, who reports that Osimhen has rejected a fifth offer from Saudi side Al-Hilal and would rather continue his career in Europe.THE BIGGER PICTURELaba claims that Osimhen is not interested in a ...
France captain Kylian Mbappe says he is satisfied with his side bouncing back from their Nations League loss to Spain in the third-placed play-off.Les Bleus finished the campaign with a win over Germany, thanks to goals from the Real Madrid star and Michael Olise.And while there was a lot to like about the French performance in Stuttgart, Mbappe took a balanced approach to things in his post-match...
WHAT HAPPENED?The German club have asked to be kept up to date on Sancho's situation, with the Man Utd outcast being touted as a possible replacement for Chelsea target Jamie Gittens, as per Sky Sports. Sancho has already re-joined the club from Manchester United once - a six-month loan spell at the end of last season - and could yet return for a third spell with the German giants. Chelsea paid a ...
Jobe Bellingham of Sunderland celebrates getting promoted back to the Premier LeagueEngland U21 midfielder Jobe Bellingham has agreed terms to leave Sunderland for Borussia Dortmund in a deal reported at around 331 million including add-ons.The Bedlington-born starlet joins the German club on a five-year contract following Sunderland's promotion to the Premier League.Dortmund has reportedly agreed...
Brian Priske has chosen to return to Sparta PragueBrian Priske has returned to Sparta Prague to take up the position as head coach, say the Czech club on their website."We are pleased to announce the appointment of our new head coach. We welcome Brian, who knows the environment in the club. We strongly believe that he will build on the successful work he has delivered in the past and help Sparta w...
Borussia Dortmund keen on signing Jadon SanchoBorussia Dortmund are weighing up a fresh move for Jadon Sancho amid uncertainty over his future at Manchester United.The Bundesliga side have requested to be kept informed about the Englishman’s status at Old Trafford, with the out-of-favour winger seen as a potential replacement for Chelsea-linked Jamie Gittens, according to Sky Sports.Sancho i...
Gravenberch names his 2025 Ballon d'Or favouriteRyan Gravenberch shared his 2025 Ballon d'Or choice, backing his Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah to win the prestigious award.The Egypt international was the frontrunner for the 2025 Ballon d'Or during the first half of the season, topping both the goals and assists charts in the Premier League.0"That's a tough one, but I'll go for my teammate: Moha...
Uriah RennieUriah Rennie, the first black man to referee in the Premier League, has died at the age of 65.WHAT HAPPENED?In August 1997, Rennie was named as the referee for a Premier League game between Derby County and AFC Wimbledon and made history as the division's first ever black referee. He went on to officiate over 300 top-flight games across 11 years, as well as refereeing domestic cup fina...
- 1 England player ratings vs Andorra: Cole Palmer disappoints as Kane bails out Tuchel
- 2 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 3 Marcus Rashford 'grows close' to stunning semi-pro padel player
- 4 Why Premier League transfer may be off the cards for Victor Osimhen as Man Utd make 'timid' attempts to convince striker
- 5 Chukwueze reveals cause of AC Milan’s ‘disastrous’ season
- 6 FIFA confirms 34 team base camp training sites in the United States for 2025 Club World Cup, including nine in Florida and five in Calitornia
- 7 Man Utd continue to be linked with Emi Martinez
- 8 Daily Laugh - Morata : Me again?
- 9 Daily Laugh - Mbeumo and his amazing talent
- 10 Transfer news: Jadon Sancho announces move as Liverpool confirm deal