Olivia McLoughlin: Gers Looking To Finish Strong

LIV MCLOUGHLIN wants Rangers to finish their Champions League qualifying campaign as strong as possible as they gear up for their next outing tomorrow lunchtime.

The Light Blues will take on Atletico Madrid at the home of Boreham Wood in the third place play-off having suffered defeat to Arsenal in midweek.

Speaking to RangersTV to preview the clash against the side who finished third in Liga F last season, the midfielder feels the team can take a lot from facing Spanish opposition in pre-season when gearing up for their next match.

She said: “We obviously want to finish as strong as possible.

“I know Wednesday night's result didn't go our way but we want to keep making a good account of ourselves and proving ourselves to everyone.

“I think Saturday is a great time for that and we go into every game wanting to win so that is the aim.

“That was probably one of the reasons why we played Levante in pre-season.

“It gives us a taste of Spanish football and against Levante we did really well. There were obviously parts where we wanted to look and work on and that is what we can take into Atletico Madrid but again it will be another great experience and another good test.

“We did brilliantly against Levante in terms of our out of possession shape and again on Wednesday we worked on that so hopefully we can do that again on Saturday.”

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300824 Women-s Training, Olivia McLoughlin, Brogan Hay 04

The 19-year-old has spoken of being back with the squad having signed a permanent deal with the Gers earlier this summer, as she reflected on her first experience of Champions League football against the Gunners.

She continued: “It has been brilliant being back with the girls, obviously a main reason why I wanted to stay up here was the girls and the team and Jo.

“That was a big thing and since I have been back it has been brilliant and the same as last year.

“We have had a really good start to the season so we are all really happy with that it is just about keeping that now and pushing on in harder games to come.

“That is where every player wants to get to and every player wants to play on that stage.

“Realistically it is the biggest stage for us so to play there was amazing for the whole team and to show what we are about and that was what was important for us.

“Coming down especially to England and proving ourselves and I think we really did that. We held a good account of ourselves so that was really positive for us.”

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030924 Women-s Training, Olivia McLoughlin, Kathryn Hill 49

The former Aston Villa player wants the team to take the positives from midweek despite the end result, as they look to bounce back before returning to SWPL action next Sunday against Spartans.

She added: “There is positives from the whole performance. We have looked back already; it is a quick turnaround for Saturday so we have to look back and take the positives.

“We had really good out of possession shape for the majority, especially the first half.

“We came in 1-0 down at half time and we were still very much in the game and had a lot to play for so we were really happy with the majority just unlucky to concede the goals.

“Obviously it is hard when you get a defeat like Wednesday night to keep pushing on but the good thing is we have got a game on Saturday which is so soon so that is where we can bounce back and then take that again into the league next week.

“I think definitely the great start to the season put us in good stead for the game and hopefully we can carry that form on.”


  

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