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Neil Warnock: Middlesbrough boss annoyed by people who flout COVID-19 rules

Warnock: "It annoys me when I see 200 kids having a party. It's not so much what's happening in their vicinity, it's what's going to happen in the wider area when they go and speak to somebody else and somebody else."

Neil Warnock has been absent for Middlesbrough's last two Sky Bet Championship games
Image: Neil Warnock has been absent for Middlesbrough's last two Sky Bet Championship games

Middlesbrough boss Neil Warnock has called on people to heed Government advice on coronavirus to keep each other safe after recovering from the illness.

The 71-year-old is back at work after self-isolating for 14 days, but has been dismayed by footage of some ignoring restrictions.

Warnock said: "It's life and death with this horrible virus.

"It just makes you even more aware how careful you are. I'm so careful - I'm going around even my own house two or three times a day doing the surfaces and everything, handles. I am getting a bit paranoid like that, but I think we've all got to try to do that.

"That's why it annoys me when I see 200 kids having a party. It's not so much what's happening in their vicinity, it's what's going to happen in the wider area when they go and speak to somebody else and somebody else.

"They must have grandparents and parents that are older and have got problems. There's just not enough thought going on at times in certain areas, which disappoints me at the moment."

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Highlights of the Sky Bet Championship match between QPR and Middlesbrough

Warnock took charge of Boro's Sky Bet Championship clashes with Bournemouth and QPR remotely, but admitted the whole experience had been "strange".

He said: "I was very fortunate I didn't get anything on my chest. I just started with a little niggly throat and then lost my sense of smell and taste, and for the first few days (I was) absolutely shattered and wanting to go to sleep every minute of the day.

"You've got no option but to look after yourself. My son was with me as well, so he had to isolate as well, so it was strange.

Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock
Image: Warnock says he felt constantly tired when he was suffering with coronavirus

"I didn't feel too bad (about being absent for) the games, if I'm honest, because I had conversations before, half-time and at the end, but it's nice to get back on the grass. It's always nice to have contact with your players and start talking about how you see the next game, etc."

Asked if he had been worried after becoming ill, he replied: "Not really, just the tiredness.

"When you get older, you want a nap in the afternoon or this, that and the other, but with this virus, you're just constantly absolutely shattered and you don't feel like doing anything, so it's slightly different. It can linger."