RANT-TASTIC!

Fergie hairdryer was just the job for Appleton

OXFORD boss Michael Appleton has revealed how the hairdryer treatment from Sir Alex Ferguson resurrected his managerial

career.

The 41-year-old had to listen to a verbal barrage from his old Manchester United manager after tough spells at Blackpool and Blackburn.

But he now stands on the brink of history, with just Middlesbrough in the way of Oxford’s first FA Cup quarter-final appearance since 1964, having booked their fifth-round place with a 3-0 win over Newcastle (inset Curtis Nelson nets the second).

The former United midfielder only played for the Red Devils twice but was still hauled into Fergie’s office during the Scot’s final days in charge at Carrington in 2013.

Appleton recalled: “It was a few weeks after losing my job at Blackburn and two weeks before the end of the season and his retirement.

“I went thinking he would give some advice. But for half an hour I got the biggest rollocking ever.

“I never said anything other than, ® ‘Yes boss’. He did it for the right reasons. He told me I had to do my due diligence when I went into my roles. “I needed to do my homework in terms of the squad and what it could achieve, that type of stuff. “And that was invaluable as that is what I did when I came here. In the past I would have taken jobs due to the opportunity. “I was inexperienced and thought I could sort it out. But the reality is you are only as good as the players.” Appleton, started his managerial career at Portsmouth, waited another year before taking the Oxford job and has not looked back since he helped his side to League One last term. He said: “It was needed. I deserved a b ****** ing and got one. “It’s the best thing that happened to me. I followed his advice when I took the Oxford job. And if I was thinking of ever leaving Oxford it would have to be the right job at the right time. I need to do my due diligence. “I know more than anyone the grass is not always greener. “It would take a very good offer and very good club to get me away from Oxford.”