Boss Warnock loses his cool over Iceland friendly game
NEIL Warnock has launched a scathing blast at the Iceland set-up after they played Aron Gunnarsson for the full 90 minutes in a friendly just days before Cardiff City’s weekend clash with Wolves at Molineux.
Iceland beat Republic of Ireland 1-0 at the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday night.
Cardiff midfielder Gunnarsson played the full 90 minutes of the friendly fixture in Dublin, just four days before the Bluebirds made the trip to the West Midlands to take on Paul Lambert’s side.
And Warnock was far from impressed with Gunnarsson’s national employers for making him play the full game in what he described as a “meaningless friendly”.
“We’re disappointed Gunnarsson played a full game the other night in a meaningless friendly because he’s captain which I think is a disgrace, I’ve told the manager that,” said Warnock.
“He’s tired out today and you’ve got to have some brains when you’re an international manager.
“He’s apologised to me but that means little to me. I gave him a week off in January to help them and refresh him, and they should do the same.
“I don’t think you should have friendlies, by all means have competitive games but a friendly after the competitive game, I think that’s an absolute disgrace.
“What’s that going to serve? That’s not going to help someone in two years time at the Europeans or at a World Cup.”
It comes after the bitter row that erupted between Ireland manager Martin O’Neill and Everton boss Ronald Koeman following the injury to midfielder James McCarthy ahead of Ireland’s 0-0 World Cup qualifying draw with Wales.
And after the 3-1 defeat to Wolves, Warnock admitted he’s already accepted that the remaining seven games are dead rubbers.
When asked about whether he’s laying the building blocks ready for next season, the Cardiff boss responded: “That’s been the case for a few weeks I’m afraid.
“You can’t wait for the season to end. But to be disappointed with having 51 points with seven games to go shows just how far we’ve come.”