Neil Warnock reveals 'gobsmacking' Rangers experience that trumps Celtic Park and his chats over Ibrox top job

Neil Warnock is trying to enjoy a holiday in Cornwall but the phone is still ringing.

A pal has just called to tell him that his planned ‘Are You With Me…’ show in Sheffield this September is now close to being a 2200 sell-out. There are dates booked in for Cardiff, Huddersfield and Plymouth as well. But Warnock’s told promoters he wants one in Glasgow. Scotland is never too far from his mind. And that’s not just because he owns a house in Dunoon. Warnock is savouring his retirement after a 44-year career. Incredibly, he represented 22 different clubs as a player and gaffer.

But there was one that got away. And it still niggles at him. That’s why he’s always happy to talk when he hears a Scottish voice down the line. He can’t remember the game or the date. But when his Rangers-daft pal Stuart Shaw parked his car across from Ibrox and Warnock clapped eyes on the stadium, he was hooked.

Previously, he’d visited Celtic Park as a guest of Gordon Strachan. But that vision of Ibrox blew him away. And that’s why, just three months into his retirement, he still regrets never becoming Rangers boss. It could have happened. At various times over the last two decades, Warnock’s name has been linked with the Ibrox hot seat. He spoke to the club twice about taking the job but it never materialised.

Warnock isn’t the type for regrets. But it’s one box that will forever remain unticked – much to his frustration. He told MailSport: “I had a couple of chats with one or two people at Rangers over the years about being manager. But it was just never the right time. People always connect me to Rangers but I wasn’t born a fan. When Gordon was at Celtic I used to come up to a few of their games as well.

“But I just loved Ibrox. My mate