Do that v Well and I’ll lose my voice
NEIL WARNOCK has warned his Aberdeen players they will need to up their game if they want to escape his wrath against Motherwell.
He claimed his first win as Dons boss in the Scottish Cup win over Bonnyrigg Rose. Warnock was pleased with the victory but not by the performance and has stated that those levels won’t be enough to win games in the Premiership.
The Pittodrie side are still in the bottom six but have two home games against Motherwell and Hibs this week that, if they win, could have them in the top half.
When asked what he learned about his side in the win over Bonnyrigg, Warnock said: “A lot of little things that I won’t go into publicly. There were a lot of things I wasn’t happy with but I can’t be so impatient when it’s a cup game really.
“If that was Motherwell and they did one or two things like they did on Saturday then I would be losing my voice. So I just have to calm down a little bit and get on the training ground and give them the opportunity to listen to what I want from them.
“We made a few bad decisions at times and one or two players never really came out of the traps.
“Whether they were in their comfort zone or not I’ll have a word with them.”
The veteran manager is no stranger to a war of words with officials but says he has been pleased with the standard north of the border. Warnock added: “What I’ve been impressed with is the two referees we’ve had who have been excellent. I never thought I’d say that.
“It’s something different. I know everything in the Championship so to come up here is a challenge but no guarantees.
“I’m sure Motherwell and Hibs will think differently and be out to give us a go in the league.”
Warnock has urged the Red Army to get behind his team and he has vowed to do all he can to put smiles on their faces. He said: “I enjoyed the fans.
“Like I said when I first came here I know there are quite a lot that didn’t want me as well.
“But you just have to enjoy
it while I’m here and I will do the best I can. I can’t guarantee anything but I will give it my best shot and try to put smiles on people’s faces.
“There’s not enough of that I don’t think.”
Warnock took a bow in front of the Red Shed for the first time and they made a big impression on him. He added: “Those lads behind the goal, I said to my No.2, Ronnie Jepson, I’ll have to give them a wave after the game as they have been super.
“That’s where all the ultras are, isn’t it? They probably think I’m one of them. It’s good, that Barmy Army.”
The Dons will have home advantage again in the Cup, with former manager Derek McInnes returning to Pittodrie with Kilmarnock.
That will spark talk of the infamous Battle of Bramall Lane, where as West Brom skipper he was headbutted by one of Warnock’s Sheffield United team.
Warnock admitted Morton boss Dougie Imrie was desperate for a crack at the Dons in the last eight, but instead will need to make do with Hearts.
The Dons boss said: “I’ve had a couple of messages.
“Dougie Imrie sent me a message – I hope you get through and we get you.”