Self-confessed Rangers fan Neil Warnock has hauled Aberdeen into a Scottish Premiership relegation battle, according to former Ibrox winger Neil McCann.
The experienced English Football League manager, 75, is still without a Scottish Premiership victory at Pittodrie in what is his first job in Scottish football.
Neil Warnock has routinely appealed for the opportunity to manage in Scotland and the appointment drew huge press interest north and south of the border.
But since replacing Barry Robson at Aberdeen, Neil Warnock has taken Rangers’ northeast rivals deeper into the mire and – naturally – there is little sympathy at Ibrox.
Neil Warnock has Aberdeen relegation candidates
Speaking on BBC Sportscene after Neil Warnock’s Aberdeen side were defeated 2-0 at home to St Johnstone, Neil McCann reckons the Dons are in a relegation battle this season.
The result leaves 9th place Aberdeen level on points with St Johnstone in 10th and four points in front of Ross County, who occupy 11th and a relegation playoff place.
Livingston are almost certainly headed for the drop as things stand, David Martindale’s side seven points adrift in the automatic relegation place in 12th.
McCann reckons that unless the Dons’ form turns, they could be headed for disaster. And we’re right here for it.
“For that playoff spot they absolutely are,” said Neil McCann. “They’re right in it.
“The Aberdeen fans know it. Neil Warnock’s come up here, he’s said a few things about coming up to have fun, there’s no fun to be had in Aberdeen.
“The fans understand that you’re not winning games, you’re not performing, they’re changing personnel, changing shape.
“They need to find results quickly because that’s starting to concertina and get closer and when you’re on a horrible run you’re right in the mix for that playoff spot.”
No Scottish Premiership sympathy for Rangers
Rangers fans of course won’t be too perturbed by the notion of Aberdeen being relegated to the Scottish Championship.
What’s more the fact Neil Warnock is their manager – a man who once described himself as a Rangers fan and talked up the Dunoon RSC before a recent Aberdeen defeat at Ibrox – has added to the titters.
The Dons are one of Scottish football’s most expensively assembled squads yet they cannot get it right on the park, with the club previously accused of only raising their level for matches against Rangers.
Of their three Pittodrie victories this season, one came against Rangers and, rather remarkably, the Gers have dropped five points from nine against the Dons this season.
With the club almost certainly headed for the bottom six, Rangers will likely avoid a tricky post-split trip to Pittodrie and there will be extra cause for celebration to come if things continue to go south up north.
