Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
JUNGLE EMI’S DREAM OF GETTING MESSI FEVER
Warnock: I’m a Celebrity wanted me
NEIL WARNOCK hinted at his next high-profile move – appearing on I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here.
The veteran
Boro boss is leading the
Te e si d ers i n a Championship promotion bid in his 18th managerial job.
But ahead of facing Norwich he has revealed he came close becoming a King of the Jungle with Ant and Dec, l i k e Ha r r y Redknapp did.
Yesterday he spotted a picture of the show in the background of a Zoom call during his usual press conference.
And Warnock revealed: “I was nearly in it! It might have been two or three years ago but I was approached. Imagine if I’d said yes – e ver ybody would have been voting for me wouldn’t they, to do every bloody thing?
“I know my kids would have been. My kids, Amy and William, were straight on to me saying they would be phoning every night. They were saying, ‘ We’ll make sure you get those maggots, dad.’
“Will it happen in the f uture? Let’s play it by ear, eh?”
Warnock re ckons B oro’s mean-machine is facing their toughest exam yet against Norwich. Boro have conceded just five goals in 11 games, the meanest back line in the
Championship.
H e said:
“This is now the big test of our squad .
The main men are the ones who came down from the Premier League. There are five or six above us.
“But we have a chance of hanging in there for the play-off positions.
“We are the surprise team of everyone up there. We are looking forward to pitting our wits against the best team this season.”
EMI BUENDIA is refusing to give up on his dream of playing alongside Lionel Messi.
And the Argentinian, 23, knows that can only happen if he continues to impress at Norwich.
The Canaries kick-off at Middlesbrough today just a point behind leaders Reading.
Buendia is determined to help the Canaries regain Premier League status and catch the eye of national team manager Lionel Scaloni.
He said: “I’m working hard to become a better player to get a chance in the national team.
“This is one of the biggest dreams I have. For Argentinean people, your Argentina shirt is one of the best things in the world.
“I have to work, and the chance will be there as soon as possible, I hope.”