The day kingpin left us in gutter
Monty will never forget being bowled over (hustled!) by old gaffer Warnock
NICK MONTGOMERY learned never to underestimate Neil Warnock the moment the veteran boss wiped the floor with his Sheffield United squad at ten-pin bowling.
The Hibs boss and his Bramall Lane team-mates were done out of £20 each as their wily old gaffer – unknown to them a dab hand at the skittles – led them down a blind alley before cleaning up the winnings.
Montgomery still laughs at Warnock’s cheek.
But he’s determined to get payback tomorrow by delivering a damaging strike to his mentor’s Aberdeen side ahead of the split.
And having inherited the 75-year-old’s win-at-allcosts mentality as a player, the Hibees boss is now demanding his players spare nobody in the quest for the points at Pittodrie.
Montgomery has seven years worth of tales from playing for Warnock. And he said: “Most of them have been documented but the bowling one stands out.
“I remember that first hand. It was a day where there was heavy snow or it was waterlogged, so we cancelled training and decided to go bowling instead.
“No one had any idea the gaffer had been a professional bowler in a past life!
“Everyone chucked in £20 and he was more than happy to clean up at the end. “That’s the sort of stuff Neil did. “It just shows you, underestimate him at anything at your peril. He’s definitely mellowed though. Neil gave me my debut as a 17-year-old at Sheffield United.
“You can do the maths but it’s been a long time and I’m sure it will be an experience being on the sideline with him, but in the opposing dugout.”
Warnock’s rousing dressing-room speeches from those Blades days have gone viral on social media and Montgomery said: “I was in his dressing room for most of his clips that are on You Tube. Once you step on that pitch it’s a battle, not war, but two teams competing to win a game.
“He just wanted you to give everything to win a game and it’s a message I try to give my players.
“I’m not sure what will happen on Saturday but I’m passionate, he’s passionate and it’s two teams wanting to win a game of football.
“No matter what we will definitely be shaking hands before and after the game.”
With Martin Boyle, Lewis Miller, Rocky Bushiri and Jojo Wollacott back from international duty and Chris
Cadden and Adam Le Fondre available after long-term injuries Montgomery admits he now has the strongest squad he’s had in five months in charge.
Only Jake Doyle-Hayes and Josh Campbell remain unavailable.
And Montgomery said: “I look at the squad now and it’s probably the first time I’ve had to leave someone off the bench. It’s a headache you want as a manager. Picking your team you want your best players available.”