David McCallum Reflects On Positive Pre-Season Tour

DAVID McCALLUM has reflected on a positive pre-season tour of Northern Ireland as Rangers B rounded off their two-game series with a 3-0 victory over Bangor last night.

The young Gers made it successive victories following their triumph over Crusaders at the weekend, courtesy of goals from Zak Lovelace, Josh McPake and James Graham.

Speaking to RangersTV, McCallum commented: "The first thing I would say is that the hospitality that we've received, in the hotel at Dunadry, and both games against Crusaders and here against Bangor. They have looked after us very, very well.

"The fans have turned out in their numbers, which I always think for the players is a great experience to have. They have got people who want to come and watch them, and you could see them mixing with the locals who wanted autographs. It's brilliant for the lads to go do that.

"The camp itself has been very game-orientated given the closeness of the two matches. We managed to get some training into them as well which has been good. All in all, it's been a good camp."

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23.07.18 - Senior Men - Pre-Season - Bangor (0) v (3) Rangers -B- - 001

McCallum was able to use a full complement of substitutes on the evening, and said on his side's performance: "We always felt that we had control in good moments and that we carried an attacking threat.

"I felt we got ourselves into good positions in the first half, especially off the opposite side of where the game was, but we probably didn't speed the game up as much as we could have.

"However, we done it much better in the second half. You look at the goals we scored, excellent team play to get Zak into a good position; Josh scores an excellent goal into the top corner after having a little bit of a knock; and James Graham comes in and brings extra life to the game.

"Defensively, too, our young backline, Kristian Webster, Connor Allan, Leyton Grant and Robbie Fraser too, had to really defend direct play or second phase and they did that excellently.

"We're gradually getting to a point where we're building up minutes in players to get them feeling that there is a competitiveness to a certain degree, to keep pushing the limits. Ultimately, we want the players to have a hunger that every day they come into training they feel an edge and desire to push on from where they are currently."


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