The key points from the manager's post-match press conference after Rangers 1-3 Olympiacos.
Your thoughts on the game?
A good game against a good opponent, I thought it was another really good pre-season game in a different style to Hamburg and Newcastle. We need that, the variety. At times we played very well in possession, defensively we had some issues. I thought the three goals we didn't defend very well but it was a good game and I'm pleased in a way that we have one game to go and no more using 20 players, now we're close to the action.
Do you have lots of work to do over the rest of pre-season?
I'm fine at the moment because we had a double session Monday and trained hard yesterday so I know where the boys are at, we're challenging them and will see the benefits of that when the season starts. We know we have to push the group because from the start of the season, we go into a three-game week for the rest of the month. It's important we have things in our legs and I don't want to stop training hard going into a game. We were against a good opponent tonight, there's a reason why we picked this level of opponent, there's no point getting pats on the back winning 3-0 against lesser opponents. We wanted to get in there and play against teams who'd really challenge us and some of our ideas and open our eyes to it so when the real football starts we're ready. You can see Olympiacos are a very good team, I expected that.
Any concerns about the left side of the defence?
I thought their right-back was clearly a very good player. Borna started the game slow but Ridvan needs to look at the third goal as well so both can do better. The boys trained hard into the game and I get as soon as we play everyone wants it to look shiny and fantastic but we'll be okay. We just need to keep moving in the right direction with our training and ideas and I'm pleased, we needed a big change of players and we got it. There's one or two incoming as well and it will all settle down when it's supposed to in 10 days time - 10 days is a long time in pre-season. Today we created really good chances in the game and we don't take them. I thought Abdallah was good and looked bright, you could see Cyriel is finding his feet in terms of fitness and Sam was good again so I'm really pleased with the new guys coming in.
Anything on incomings?
I'd just say you need to be patient a bit till over the weekend. I wouldn't listen to the size of fee or salary, there are a lot of things going around and I'll tell you it's nowhere near the size of both. If you stay patient I'm hoping there's some good news at the start of next week for everybody.
Any news on Scott Wright?
Scott went out to Turkey last week because I think he got caught at the airport. You can't go anywhere nowadays with cameras. Scott was very honest in his interview that we had accepted a big and he went over there to meet the team and coach. Negotiations are going on in the background so there was no point risking Scott in games here.
No Roofe in the squad?
No issues, Tom and Kemar we knew coming back that we needed a good week [of training] in them, we thought the match minutes were good but if we slow down our training to this game, only play certain minutes and then they have to take a day off it's a wasted week. They needed to have a big week into the game at the weekend. Ryan Jack will be back in the squad, Adam Devine trained yesterday, Dujon Sterling will train on Friday, Leon King is back Monday and Connor Goldson will be back next Thursday just before the start of the season.
Are there any more likely outgoings?
There have been three or four enquiries about players. Next week we have to name a European squad for the first two games and some players won't make that. That's the nature of things here and that's been the case in previous seasons here. As we get closer to it and I'm not using everybody you will find that one or two will want guarantees of playing that I'm not willing to give. It's clear we've recruited well and it will take a little bit of time for the team to come together but I'm excited because we are playing really good opposition and not looking for any gimmies. We've played Newcastle, Hamburg and Olympiacos. We go away to Hoffenheim at the weekend, who looks a really strong team. These are the challenges we want.
The Rangers Review team is taking the hugely-popular morning briefing LIVE at New Edmiston House on July 28.
And, we're delighted to announce that none other than Barry Ferguson will join our top team of Jonny McFarlane, Joshua Barrie, Stevie Clifford and Derek Clark.
The doors will open at 6.30pm giving you time to grab a beer or soft drink before we head into an hour of debate and chat ahead of the new season; expect new signing assessments, tactical analysis, predictions and the usual banter. Then, Derek will host an exclusive chat with Barry, gaining insight into his two trophy-laden spells at the club and his take on Michael Beale's rebuild.
Tickets start at just £21.50 and can be purchased HERE.
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