John Hughes revealed he received a thank you text from Rangers star Scott Arfield after Ross County further dented Celtic’s slim hopes of catching the Ibrox side at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
The Staggies boss watched as Jordan White’s late header condemned the Hoops to another dire defeat in the Highlands as they slipped 18 points behind Rangers at the division’s summit.
Canadian international Arfield was highly-rated when working under Hughes as a player at Falkirk after rising through the youth ranks.
Hughes attempted to take him to Hibernian when he departed Grangemoth in 2009, but Arfield instead made his name in England with Huddersfield and Burnley before signing for boyhood heroes Rangers in 2018.
However there are no hard feelings between the pair as Hughes admitted he got a cheeky message from the 32-year-old after the victory on Sunday evening.
He told Go Radio : "He text me last night: 'Thanks gaffer, thanks for the help out.'
"So, absolutely delighted for him."
Celtic's Dingwall defeat means Rangers can win the league title at the home of their greatest rivals as they did in 1999.
As long as Neil Lennon's side get back on a winning track against Aberdeen and Dundee United in their next two fixtures and Rangers keep up their unstoppable momentum with victories over Livingston and St Mirren, the title will be sealed with another three points at Celtic Park on March 21.
Rangers face the second leg of their Europa League last 32 tie with Royal Antwerp on Thursday evening.
