“It is my kind of club, the fans were fabulous and the players have given me everything. I am looking forward to the challenge.”
His first outing as Aberdeen manger may have ended in defeat at Ibrox, but it seems Neil Warnock already feels at home.
The veteran manager’s arrival in the north east sparked excitement across Scottish football, such is the box office nature of the 75-year-old.
Typically, all eyes would be on a Rangers side that moved level on points with Celtic as their revival under Philippe Clement continued, but the opposite dugout was where the real action was.
He smiled, he snarled, he had his first meeting with VAR in the 1627th game of his 44-year managerial career. And was impressed that Don Robertson stuck with his on-field decision after being called over for a review.
It was an eventful encounter in imposing conditions – just as he would have wanted it. The madness of Scottish football was made for him.
“It is a breath of fresh air, you can’t put that desire into people and that was in there,” Warnock said.
“I don’t think I have ever seen a referee in England go to the screen and stick with his decision, what a good thing to do. I thought he had a good game tonight.
“The fans got really behind us. As a supporter you can’t ask any more if the lads give everything. I was pleased and I think the fans will be.”
What did Warnock learn about his players?
Having only headed north of the border on Sunday evening, the new boss has not had much time to run the rule over his new squad.
He already knew this was an under-delivering group. Warnock was brought in to replace Barry Robson, who was dismissed after the gap to third spot grew too wide for the board’s liking.
Confidence may be low after a campaign that has frustrated a passionate support, but one glaring positive was on display on Wednesday.
As lethal frontman Bojan Miovski grabbed his 20th goal of the season, he immediately set himself high expectations from his new gaffer.
“I think he will get 30 before the end of the season,” Warnock said. “I think they will be queuing up for him. He works harder than people think, which is unusual for a striker.
“I thought the application was excellent. To go a goal down early on, a lot of teams might have crumbled but I thought we hung in there.
“They are all putting a shift in now. Some of the lads who have got away with one in the last 12 months are having to work a little bit harder now.”
Getting stuck into the ‘muck and nettles’ – analysis
Kheredine Idessane, BBC Scotland at Ibrox
Warnock’s first match in Scottish football was never likely to be dull, was it? True to form, he told me afterwards he really loved the “muck and nettles” of his first game in Scotland.
I think that’s another way to say he likes to be unpretentious, and his teams to be the same. Whichever way it translates, the scenery of the Scottish footballing landscape just got a bit more texture to it.
Warnock kicked just about every ball in the second half, as he urged his side firstly to stay in the game, then encouraged them to try to find a leveller.
There wasn’t a moment to be missed, and his team came within inches of a spectacular equaliser towards the end. The Aberdeen fans applauded the side’s efforts, and Warnock went across to acknowledge their support.
He feels the bar has been re-set for the team, and is looking for even more in the weeks to come.
It’s not going to be a quiet end to the season in Scottish football, especially if you’re at an Aberdeen game.
