CRAIG MCPHERSON says tonight’s pre-season friendly against Inter Milan was a worthwhile exercise for the squad.
In Rangers’ second pre-season friendly and first of their Italy camp, they fell to a 5-2 defeat against the side who finished runners-up in Serie A last season.
Speaking to RangersTV to reflect on the game, he said: “It was a very strong Inter Milan team, really good quality in their team but I thought we were really good in the game.
“I thought we started the game really well and had a bit of control in the game and then we lost a goal which knocked us a wee bit.
“Overall, a really worthwhile exercise against a quality team, it gets us further into pre-season, it gets everybody sharper and when you are playing against that level of opposition you know you are going to be punished for your mistakes.
“In the second half we managed to score two goals which I thought the girls deserved and we came out of the game with a lot of credit.
"They finished second in their league last year so they are a top quality team and you can see that with the way they play and way they move the ball.
“It is the speed of their play as well but we knew coming into the game from watching and analysing them that was the challenge that we was going to face us so we had to make sure that we were prepared for it and the organisation of the girls, their attitude, enthusiasm, everything has been good.
“Quality was good in moments; we need to look to build on that ahead of Saturday's game and hopefully we get a positive result on Saturday.”
The assistant coach was full of praise for youngster Laura Berry, as she found the back of the net off the bench to score two goals in as many games at the start of pre-season as the Gers showed character towards the end of the friendly outing.
He continued: “It was great and I said that to her, she scored on Sunday, put a lot of work in on Sunday and got a goal towards the end of the game and deserved it.
“Tonight when she went on we said to her go on, just conserve your energy a little bit, when those moments come make sure you are sharp and she makes a great run, great pass from Wilko and finishes it really well. I am really pleased for her.”
The Light Blues benefited from more match minutes under their belt as they now prepare themselves for a quick turnaround to take on AC Milan this weekend.
McPherson added: “More minutes in the legs? Just keep building, look at Sunday's game, tonight's game, Saturday's game and then next Wednesday's.
“We have got four games in 11 days so it is a tough schedule for the girls but everybody has been spot on.
“Their attitude, their recovery, the way they have looked after themselves. Some tired legs out there tonight, Wilko put in a shift again, good for her to get a goal for her efforts but everybody deserved a lot of praise for how we performed tonight.
“Back to the hotel tonight, recover tomorrow, prepare on Friday, game on Saturday against AC Milan who are a tough team as well.
“We look forward to the challenge and hopefully we can get a positive result from it.”