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A touchline row interrupted by Gillingham’s opening goal was all about the competitive spirit and nothing more, said home boss Steve Evans.
He and Oxford United manager Karl Robinson exchanged insults from their respective dugouts but Oliver’s headed goal quickly put an end to it. Gills boss Evans shrugged it all off afterwards and spoke of his respect for the Us manager.
Evans said: “I have got nothing but respect for Karl, for what he has done at Oxford, and all of his career.
“We are always passionate against each other. It might not be PC (language) but it’s a Scouser and a Glaswegian. We both want to win and that adds spice.”
Robinson was busy changing views with Evans when Gillingham scored their opening goal.
“I saw the cross and I saw the goal,” Evans said.
“I was fortunate as I was looking that way but I’m not sure if Karl saw it!
“It is competitive isn’t it? One million per cent I don’t remember what he said. He said something I wasn’t happy about but when Karl was talking back I was watching Jordan Graham put a great cross in and my reaction was (a fist pump) and Karl is probably thinking, ‘what’s that mean?!’ It was a goal.”
Gillingham quickly got a second and ended up winning the match 3-1.
“I am not here to gloat,” Evans said.
“It was a deserved three points if you take everything into consideration.
“We have got the youngest squad in the entire Football League, we have the smallest squad and least resources at our level, but we have what we can afford to pay.
“When we play these types of teams, like Oxford and seven or eight or more of them, it is a tough task every week.”
Evans may well be the most vocal manager from the touchline in the league but goalscorer Olvier, whose headed effort was his first for the club in the league, believes he’s bringing the best out of them.
“I have loved it so far,” he said, when asked about working for Evans.
“Yeah he is an absolute madman on the sidelines, as we all know, but throughout the week he is perfect, he gets what he wants out of the players and credit to him, it is showing on the pitch.
“It is getting results. He keeps the referees on their toes, he keeps their staff on their toes, sometimes it is hilarious to listen to, but it is great. I am enjoying working for him and he is getting the best out of the boys. All credit to him.”
Read more on the Gills;
Evans hoping to tame Chelsea bad-boy
