Luke O'Nien says Sunderland's abandoned friendly against Rangers was a first for him - with the game halted at half-time due to a powercut that plunged the stadium into darkness. With no floodlights, and with the sun setting rapidly, it proved impossible to continue and after a 45 minute delay, the announcement came that the match had been abandoned.
Sunderland were leading 1-0 at the time thanks to O'Nien's set-piece goal just before the half-hour, and had dominated the first half against last season Europa League finalists. "It's not ideal - it's not what any of us expected - but these things happen, it's no-one's fault," O'Nien said of the abandonment.
"I've never been involved in something like this! You have to just accept what has happened and move on quickly.
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"You have to look at the positives, and we got a good 45 minutes, it was a good run-out for the boys in the first half. There were some good performances all-round, and some more minutes in the legs for everyone.
"That's how we have to look at it. It's been a good trip so far, and we just want to continue that."
Most of the side that started against Rangers were expected to complete the full 90 minutes and have an easier day today, but with the game cut short those plans changed. O'Nien said: "I should think we'll have some top-up in the legs on Sunday. The boys who didn't play will be training, and imagine we'll be in there as well.
"We've got really good staff here and they'll make sure our legs are all topped up and ready for the start of the season."
O'Nien's goal came when Alex Pritchard's corner found him at the far post, and he had space to take a touch before blasting past former Sunderland goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin from six yards. He said: "I couldn't really believe how much space I had!
"Dan Neil really did the work, blocking their back man for me, and it was nice to put away the finish."
O'Nien played centre-back against Rangers, partnering new signing Daniel Ballard, and the 27-year-old says it is a role he relishes. "I enjoy it," he said.
"I've played there last season and I've got good players around me, and with the attacking players we've got it makes life easy for me. Rosco [Ross Stewart] sets the press up front, and I've got very willing runners in front of me.
"I played alongside Dan [Ballard] yesterday, and with Dennis [Cirkin] next to me and then Patto [Anthony Patterson] is rock solid behind us. It's nice to be able to contribute towards the team, there are still a few things I need to improve on - I was talking to Bailey Wright during the game and he was giving me advice."
Sunderland brought around 1,000 to the Rangers game and O'Nien was full of praise for them. He said: "The fans that came along last night were brilliant.
"They've come all this way to support us, and it was frustrating for them not to see 90 minutes but we appreciate them so a big shout out to them."
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