Jon Routledge: Norwich City will not mess Alex Neil about

Norwich City’s stars will be in for a shock if they try to challenge Alex Neil’s authority, Hamilton Accies midfielder Jon Routledge has warned.

The Canaries move for Neil raised eyebrows in England with some questioning whether at 33, he has the age or experience to command respect from players earning several thousand pounds a week.

Having come through the Liverpool youth system, Routledge knows all about the egos that exist at the top of the game.

But, he insists, the man-management skills Neil displayed while leading Hamilton to promotion in his first full season in charge of the club and putting them on course for their best-ever campaign in the top flight this year, will stand him in good stead.

“Alex won’t be messed about definitely not, “he said. He is that type of character; he doesn’t take anything from anyone. He doesn’t care who you are or what you are earning.

“Maybe there will be a few more egos, guys with a bit more money in their back pockets, but I am sure he will handle it well because he is very single-minded and doesn’t take too much notice of people.

“Right from the start, Alex will let them know what he is about. At Hamilton, we all knew if we weren’t pulling our weight in training or doing well in the games then we wouldn’t be playing.

“I am sure he will be exactly the same down there as well. He loves a challenge and I’m sure that if he knows people have doubts about him that will just make him work even harder just to prove them wrong.”

And, provided they buy into his philosophy, the Norwich players will be getting a manager who will do everything in his power to bring them and the club success.

“Alex is one of those guys who works so hard,” said Routledge.

“He is an honest man and he deserves it and I think he will do a great job. I am sure he can go there and carry on his own success as a manager and maybe even get them up to the Premier League.”