DAVID MCCALLUM praised a ‘top performance’ from the under-19’s as they progressed to the next round of the UEFA Youth League this evening.
The Gers faced a tough test against Swedish champions Hammarby but a hard-fought 2-1 victory saw them through 5-2 on aggregate.
Speaking to RangersTV at full-time, McCallum said: “It was a tough 90 minutes, we have spent more time tonight without the ball than we have done in many games.
“I thought they defended really really well. There were a lot of situations in and around our box and they had to stand up and Jay has been called on a few times as well tonight.
“It was a really top performance but in a different way, we would normally be speaking about spending time on the ball and creating lots of opportunities but that was different tonight so a lot of credit goes to the players to deal with it.”
Robbie Ure’s second-half strike was cancelled out by a Hammarby free-kick before Ross McCausland sealed the victory for Rangers five minutes into injury time. McCallum was delighted with the character of the squad to keep pushing for the late win.
He continued: “It shows a lot because going in at half-time they know the situation and they have spent a difficult first-half trying to find out how to prevent Hammarby from finding the spaces.
“They always made sure they stayed in the fight and they never gave anything up which is a key aspect to have. When you come to European games, which is new for a lot of these guys, they know it is going to be a little bit different and they have to try and stay focussed.
“When you are not having a lot of time on the ball you still have a job and I think from the front back to the back line and the goalkeeper it was a fantastic defensive performance.
“A lot of people maybe thought after 3-0 in the first leg that Hammarby weren't going to be a particularly good side and I don't think that could be further from the truth.
“Hammarby showed that they are a top top side and our lads can be really proud of their performance and focus.”
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