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Nicky Devlin says Aberdeen squad ‘excited’ by Neil Warnock appointment

Warnock took charge of the Dons for the first time in Tuesday's 2-1 defeat to Rangers at Ibrox.

Neil Warnock speaks to Aberdeen's Nicky Devlin during the 2-1 loss at Rangers. Image: SNS
Neil Warnock speaks to Aberdeen's Nicky Devlin during the 2-1 loss at Rangers. Image: SNS

Nicky Devlin insists the appointment of Neil Warnock was greeted with excitement by the Aberdeen squad.

Veteran Englishman Warnock was unveiled as Dons boss on Monday, replacing Barry Robson on a short-term deal until the end of the season.

It came in time for Warnock to lead the Reds out for the first time in Tuesday’s narrow 2-1 defeat to Rangers at Ibrox.

It is Warnock’s first Scottish post, having racked up more than 40 years of experience south of the border.

The 75-year-old has been a manager in a record 1,626 games in English football across 20 different jobs, winning promotion on eight occasions.

Neil Warnock applauds Aberdeen’s fans following the 2-1 defeat against Rangers. Image: SNS

That has included spells in the Premier League with Sheffield United, Queens Park Rangers, Crystal Palace and Cardiff City.

Defender Devlin insists the Dons squad can only benefit from Warnock’s experience.

He said: “I think it was probably excitement for most of us to be fair. Everyone knows exactly who he is because he’s had a fantastic career managing down the road.

“We have got a lot of younger boys in the squad and in terms of experience you don’t get much more experienced than him.

“I am sure there is a lot we can learn off him. We know he is going to be here until the end of the season.

“The dressing room is in a good place, it is very clear to us he is the manager until the end of the season. That helps us as well.”

Devlin looking forward to Warnock influence shining through

Following the defeat at Ibrox, Warnock has 15 league matches remaining in his efforts to move the Dons up the Premiership table.

Warnock is also plotting a run in the Scottish Cup, and he will make his first Pittodrie outing in Saturday’s fifth round visit of League Two club Bonnyrigg Rose.

Devlin is looking forward to seeing how Warnock’s influence develops over the coming weeks.

Aberdeen manager Neil Warnock. Image: PA

He added: “We have obviously not been able to work with him too much. He was only in for one day before the game.

“Before the match he told us to win, to do whatever it takes to try and win the game.

“At half-time he told us we need to hang in a little bit. We were obviously coming under pressure in the first half.

“We weren’t too defensive, but we let Rangers come on to us too much.

“We weren’t competitive enough higher up the pitch to put them under pressure.

Aberdeen defender Nicky Devlin. Image: SNS

“He wanted a wee bit more of that and I think we did that in the second half and created a bit more.

“I think over the coming days and weeks he will maybe get his points across to us a bit more and we will get a bit more time on the training ground with him.”

Dons defender striving for consistency

Devlin, who joined from Livingston last summer, is determined to spark an upturn in form following a return of six wins from 23 league matches so far this term.

The 30-year-old added: “Probably over the course of the season that is what our problem has been – consistency.

“We have shown in a lot of games, especially European games, that we can compete really well.

Aberdeen defender Nicky Devlin. Image: Shutterstock.

“But we have come back to league business and not been good enough. That has probably been a problem for us all season.

“But we have a run of home games including the cup game on Saturday and we have to start winning. Hopefully we will do that with Bonnyrigg on Saturday.”

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