DOUGIE Imrie admits he’d once have laughed at the idea he'd become a close ally of legendary boss Neil Warnock - but says it’s invaluable having close links with the new Aberdeen boss.

The 75-year-old Englishman has a long-standing affection for the Cappielow club, off the back of his wife’s family hailing from the shores of Dunoon, and has attended games here over the years.

Greenock Telegraph:

He also brought his Sheffield United side to Greenock to play a friendly in 2006 just after they'd won promotion to the English top flight and has commemorative bricks in the fans' wall at the ground.

Two years ago he joined fans investment group Morton Club Together in a further public sign of his fondness for the Ton.

But Ton boss Imrie says Warnock's support for the club and himself has gone far further than pledging money each month and today opened up on the unlikely relationship he’s formed with the former Leeds, Cardiff City and Sheffield United chief.

Imrie told the Tele: “I’m always appreciative of Neil and the support that he offers me. He’s a top guy who’s done everything in the game at both ends of the table.

“He reaches out to me every once in a while to say, ‘well done, son.’

“He contacted me after our win at Dunfermline to congratulate me again, which was really nice. All I could say back was ‘Neil, if I could have half the career you’ve had then I'll be okay.’

“He's one of these guys you can hear speaking whenever you read his messages. He’s certainly a character.

“Never, when I was a player, did I think I'd be having chats with a guy like Neil Warnock in my first ever managerial gig.

“But that’s the way football works, sometimes I'll get messages from someone like Gordon Strachan, who’s worked at the top level too.

“To get messages from people of this stature, to give you that gee up, especially when things weren’t going well earlier on in the season, is massive.

“And to then keep getting the messages when you do turn the tide is great for such a young manager, to know that these guys are in your corner.

“I’m loving every minute of it."

Imrie says his admiration for Warnock is stronger for the fact that he is still managing well into his seventies, when the allure of a Saturday spent fishing could be more appealing.

He said: “It’s great to have these people to bounce ideas off. If if you’re unsure of something you know you can pick up the phone and speak to someone like Neil about the experiences he’s had.

“The number of games he’s seen is ridiculous and to still have the passion and desire to do it at the age of 75 is nothing short of admirable.

“If I can have half the career he has, I'll have been alright. It’ll be interesting to see how he gets on up in Aberdeen.

"Naturally, I hope he makes a roaring success of it.”