WARREN Feeney will be doing everything in his power to get one over on Darren Ferguson on Saturday when Newport County AFC face Doncaster Rovers at the Keepmoat Stadium.

The Celtic battle between the two bosses is likely to be full of passion from the first whistle to the last, as Northern Ireland’s Feeney goes up against Scotland’s Ferguson.

And, while keen to see his Newport side inflict Donny’s first Sky Bet League Two defeat of the campaign at home, Feeney insists he has nothing but respect for his opposite number.

Former Peterborough and Preston chief Ferguson, son of Sir Alex Ferguson, has, according to Feeney, been of great help to him during his fledgling managerial career.

“They’ve got a great manager who I have a lot of respect for,” said Feeney of Doncaster.

“When I was manager at Linfield there were a couple of times when I texted or rung him and he always got back within half an hour.

“He has always been on the end of the phone. I’m not saying managers don’t but it is a hard job and some don’t ring you back.

“He’s a great manager and obviously what a mentor he has got in his father.

“It will be good to go and see him and hopefully come 5pm we’ll have smiles on our faces.”

As for Ferguson Snr, he is someone Feeney has huge admiration for, adding: “His dad’s phenomenal.

“Football for me has gone a little bit down the route of sports science and analysis but he kept it simple at Manchester United.

“You try to keep it simple. Football is a simple game, it doesn’t change, and I think Mr Ferguson is the world’s best.

“What a person to look up to. I’ve read books on him and you try and take a bit from him, but it’s man management at the end of the day, and he certainly had that in abundance.”

Assessing Rovers as a team, Feeney went on to add: “We know it’s going to be a very big ask.

“They are a fantastic club and not so long ago were in the Championship.

“Darren has got a fantastic team and they are one of the big hitters in the league.

“It’s a great game for us to go into and it’s one where we can hopefully play to our strengths.

“We know it’s going to be tough. They’ve got fantastic players in Coppinger, Marquis and Butler, they’re all experienced, but we’ve got to be confident in our own ability.”